As reported, the Obama administration’s job application requires applicants to disclose whether they or their family members are gun owners:
Question VIII (59) asks:
Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injury or property damage.
This question concerns me. I can understand inquiring whether a person has committed a crime. I can also understand asking if a person has committed a firearms-related crime in particular. What I can’t seem to find a justification for is asking about the lawful ownership of a gun by an applicant or individual.
I can’t see this as being related to Obama’s personal security. Were some crazy guy bent on assassination to apply for a job, in order to get closer to Obama, it is unlikely that he would disclose his gun ownership or do anything to raise suspicion. Furthermore, any individual or group that would attempt such a crime would almost certainly acquire guns illegally, rather than in their own name.
I also can’t see this being related to concern over embarrassment should the prospective applicant turn out to be a criminal who has misused a gun. Asking about crimes in general would suffice to address that concern.
There really doesn’t seem to be a justification for inquiring about a citizens choice to lawfully own a gun, as the constitutional allows. Guns are less dangerous than cars, and the overwhelming majority of guns are never used in a crime. Instead, guns are use by Americans for self defense about 2.5 million times each year. Asking about lawful gun ownership seems to be a harbinger of the anti gun laws that Obama will push for in the coming years…