"We should have a system of licensing and registration, we should treat firearms the same way that automobiles are treated so that people have to pass a safety test"

In this quote, Michael D. Barnes supporters for the execution of a regulative framework for guns that belongs to the one in place for autos. His underlying argument is that firearms, just like vehicles, are possibly hazardous when not dealt with properly, and hence must go through rigid regulatory procedures to ensure public safety.

Barnes highlights 2 essential regulatory systems: licensing and registration. Licensing involves a system where people should show their competence and understanding of safety protocols before being given the right to own or operate a gun. This draws a parallel to how one needs to pass a driving test to obtain a driver's license, thereby making sure that only those who have actually proven their capability to manage an automobile properly are allowed to drive. Using this reasoning to guns suggests that a safety test might examine an individual's understanding of weapon handling, maintenance, legal duties, and hazard assessment.

The registration part suggests the creation of an organized technique of recording firearm ownership, akin to vehicle registration, which might include information about the gun, its owner, and possibly its intended use. This would assist in accountability and traceability, possibly helping law enforcement in criminal offense avoidance and resolution.

By drawing this comparison in between guns and cars, Barnes is pointing out the perceived gap in the level of oversight worked out over these respective domains. His proposition recommends that society needs to afford a minimum of as much regulatory attention to guns as it does to vehicles due to the potential for harm. The overarching goal is to diminish unexpected injuries and deaths, guarantee that firearms are utilized primarily for legitimate purposes, and prevent them from falling into the hands of people unsuited to manage them properly. In essence, Barnes is arguing for a well balanced technique that protects individual rights while focusing on cumulative safety through structured oversight and education.