OK, this was inspired by a comment on another diary thread about how a Kerry/McCain ticket would break the calcified partisanship around the issue of gun control.
I've read almost every gun control study out there, and personally, I think that John Lott is right. When people are allowed to carry concealed handguns, violent crime goes down. Why? Because criminals know that everyone out there might have a gun, and that's a serious risk to take.
So I think Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein are way off base on this one.
The issue is very complicated, and I can't possibly get into all the nuance here.
In brief, I think the smart policy move is to let citizens own handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and to carry a concealed handgun on their person for protection. Before anyone gets a carry permit, they should have to attend a gun use and safety class, given by the state or a state-accredited firing range. Hunters should be able to hunt. Banning assault weapons, etc. is fine, because no one who's not in the military needs to own any of that stuff.
I also think that the Second Amendment guarantees the individual right to own and carry firearms, but I'm less interested in that right now. I want to know what you guys think, in terms of public policy, is the best way to go with guns.