Why licensing is a good thing

Now I am no big fan of over regulation, but there is something I DO think is a good idea. Licensing. Nobody is born knowing how to do things like drive or shoot. But here in Florida, the hardest thing about getting a drivers license is proving you are not an illegal immigrant. The road test is a joke. Blind people pass it. Drivers in Miami suck as a result.

You do not need any kind of license to operate a boat. All you need to do is buy one, and put it in the water. This results is all sorts of madness on the water. I have a boat, and I am not trying to sound like I am the world's best boater - I am not. But at least I kinda sorta know the rules. I try to stay in channels, and I try to abide by slow speed / no wake signs.

The worst thing is with guns. To get a concealed carry permit in Florida you do NOT have to actually shoot a gun. You just take some lame ass class, pay the state the fee, and you are Rambo. Nowhere does the law require you to demonstrate even basic marksmanship abilities. So you can get a license to carry without EVER ONCE shooting the gun. Now if you are a paranoid right wing lunatic who only cares about the second amendment, you probably think this is a good thing. But really now - do you want some jackass who can not hit the side of a barn packing heat? My paranoid "everyone is a gun grabber" friend, you know as well as I do that if you never practice, you will not be able to hit your target. Bullets that miss will go somewhere and hit something - maybe you! Maybe your dog!

If you are going to carry a gun, you ought to know how to use it. The ONLY way to guarantee that people do this is to REQUIRE them to attend a shooting class given by a NRA instructor. They should have to qualify with whatever gun they intend to carry. It will not "take away" your rights, it will just make those who do carry at least know the basics of shooting.


Throttle back dude!