How Did I Miss This Gem?

I can't believe I missed this bit from the Globe's story on the earth-shatteringly idiotic proposal by a New Bedford City Councilor calling for a statewide BB gun ban.

Under Gomes's proposal, Massachusetts residents would be given a grace period to turn in such weapons or to paint them bright colors.

He also suggested that state lawmakers could establish a buyback program.

Yep...a BB gun buyback program. I much as I wish otherwise, I am not making this up.

Also, from Gomes' written motion:

...further asking, that our neighboring New England States - Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine - be sent a letter requesting them to follow suit in filing this Legislation, thereby making New England an area free of pellet guns/BB guns that look and replicate real handguns or shotguns...

"TOGETHER WE CAN!"

G.O.A.L. asks the painfully obvious question that folks like Mr. Gomes (and Menino, Barrios, Patrick, Kennedy, Toomey, Linsky, etc.) seem unable to wrap their heads around.

Why not instead create a law that would punish criminals who brandish look alike fake guns as if they were in possession of a real gun?

It's simple. That would create a situation where an individual would be held legally accountable for any actions made as a result of a conscious decision on his or her part, and that's simply not "progressive". Everyone knows it's the inanimate object that's to blame and, therefore, punish.

Punishing criminals??? HOW BARBARIC!!!