"Reasonable regulations regarding the ownership of weapons are appropriate"

In this quote, John Ashcroft is expressing his belief that there needs to be regulations in place for the ownership of weapons. He is specifying that these guidelines need to be sensible, indicating they ought to be fair and practical. This suggests that he believes there should be some level of control or restriction on who can own weapons and how they can be obtained. Ashcroft's usage of the word "appropriate" implies that he thinks these policies should appropriate and fitting for the function of making sure public safety. In general, this quote shows Ashcroft's stance on gun control and his belief that there ought to be a balance between specific rights and the need for policies to safeguard society.