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Dealing with dangerousness: can, will, should DC regulate guns like states regulate sex offenders?

By Douglas A. Berman

As the Heller majority opinion recognizes, handguns can be used for lots of good purposes, but also may be dangerous and can cause great harm in a community.  The same might be said for released sex offenders: they can do lots of good things, but also may be dangerous and can cause great harm in a community.  Though the parallels are imperfect, it does suggest that DC and other jurisdictions interested in gun control might try now to regulate guns the way many jurisdictions now regulate sex offenders. Specifically, sex offenders are typically required to register where they live, to notify authorities when they move, and to update their registration every few months.  In addition, many states prohibit sex offenders from living in the vicinity of schools and other areas where kids congregate...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on June 26, 2008 (boomark / email).