Re:Power without control, begs to be abused... (Score 1)

I agree with the guns to drugs analogy provided by grassyknoll.

Guns do work as intended, and are therefore largely kept legal unless such a circumstance arises, and then the weapons are removed from the market.

Extending this analogy with zero manipulation... like prescription drugs, firearms are very useful tools in a limited window of circumstances, and similarly have a tangible danger associated which rises exponentially when potential misuse is factored in. You or a member of your family is approximately 20 times more likely to be killed by a weapon in your home than an intruder (Source: Kellermann AL. "Injuries and Deaths Due to Firearms in the Home." Journal of Trauma, 1998; 45(2):263-67. That's peer-reviewed primary literature as well, so any bias will be small, and the science will be correct).

To safeguard against this as much as possible, the FDA heavily regulates the prescription drug industry. To gain access to any prescription drug, you must provide a demonstrated need to a licensed physician and obtain his direct approval for your limited use of this substance.

This substance being anything from allergy medication to high-power narcotics. All we ask, is that firearms, which I think we can all agree possess a potential danger at least equal to that of any prescription drug, be regulated similarly. Actually much less regulated since all you have to do is prove that you're the law abiding citizen you say you are and keep your nose clean and you can have all the firearms you want. You don't even have to have a clearly tangible need. I actually am a proponent of mandatory testing of proficiency as well, and can see no reason to not expect this.

If you hand a man a gun that is capable of magnifying the power of a single finger action to definitely lethal proportions, then I want to know you're capable of safely operation such a device.

I would no sooner prefer an untrained handgun owner living next to me, than say... an untrained and unlicensed crane operator working on the side of a highway. The potential for accidental death or injury during use is commensurate.