Redefining Guns in Law: From Form to Function

Our current gun laws often rely on outdated definitions based on form—such as barrel length or overall size—to classify firearms. This approach made sense in the 1950s, before the advent of highly precise, affordable manufacturing equipment available to the general public. At that time, it was difficult to modify a weapon's function while maintaining its legal classification.

However, today’s technology makes it relatively easy to modify weapons at home, changing their function while maintaining their original form. This has created loopholes that undermine the intent of existing gun regulations.

Reclassifying Modifications: A form-to-function redefinition would allow us to reclassify modifications that significantly alter how a firearm operates. For example:

Modifications that enable a handgun to fire an entire magazine with one trigger pull would be illegal based on their increased fire rate, as this function mimics that of fully automatic weapons.

Closing Loopholes in Current Law: By focusing on function over form, we can address gaps in gun regulations and prevent dangerous modifications from being marketed and sold as legal "workarounds." This approach doesn’t target responsible gun owners—it targets dangerous modifications that turn legal firearms into more destructive weapons.

Maintaining Respect for the Second Amendment: This redefinition would not ban legal firearms or prevent responsible gun ownership. Instead, it focuses on preventing abuse by regulating modifications that exceed acceptable standards for safety and public use.

Gun laws need to evolve alongside technology to remain effective. A function-based approach ensures that our laws keep pace with advancements in firearms while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. By targeting dangerous modifications rather than standard firearms, we can enhance public safety without compromising Second Amendment rights.

This redefinition offers a sensible path forward—one that closes loopholes, strengthens existing regulations, and prevents tragic misuse of firearms in ways that were never intended.