re: #520 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

I certainly agree with the ideal situation being one weighted rehabilitation rather than strictly punishment, but there should likewise be some measure of caution mixed in, that some rights should be earned back rather than simply given back as a package deal. Voting rights, sure, let them have it back upon release. But ownership of a firearm, especially if the felony involved was violent and/or involved a firearm, should be restricted for a period of time or even permanently.

I understand the core of your argument, but I disagree with the conclusion.

The best point’s already been made. If they’ve not rehabilitated, they will find the firearm whether it is legal or not. Simultaneously, you’re telling the felon he’s a second class citizen. Once the rehab is complete his rights should be restored. All his rights.

Again, however, the way our system is set up at this time we don’t do rehab. Thus we create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because it’s punishment over rehab, recidivism is high, and so doing things like restricting firearms make sense. In simple, we won’t fix the underlying problem so we have to put on these less effective patches.