If people pass the tests to own or carry a firearm wouldn't they also be less likely to be the ones committing crimes with them? They'd also likely be the ones to settle things down without discharge...
Hello; Not so sure a test is going to make much difference for a few reasons. First being there is already a vast amount of law on the books about any possible thing a person can do with a gun. By that I mean for many years there has been a law about very specific actions taken with a gun. My take is every scenario is already covered by some law.
The way it has always been explained to me is that "ignorance of the law is no excuse". If you own or carry best to know the laws, classes or no classes.
Next thing is the difference between an enumerated right and a government granted privilege.
Many folks seem to get the two confused. In the USA we have a Bill Of Rights which are Constitutional amendments. You don't have to pass a test or take a class to use such a right. Requiring a class to have a firearm would be similar to having a poll tax in order to vote. Our second amendment rights have already been eroded to a degree.
There was a discussion about this in a thread a while back on this forum. I did not save my comments and will not try to rewrite them all, but they can be looked up.
That said I think folks should get some training about the safe use of a firearm simply because it is a wise thing to do.