....Mandatory registration process? That wouldn't work very well if connected to proofing. Gunmaker submits gun for proof, so it's registered to him. If re-registration to the new owner is required when he sells the gun, then obviously the link of the gun to its owner, and not its maker (or, for that matter, a gunsmith submitting a gun for reproof) doesn't really have any connection to either proofing or the proofhouse.
That's why I quoted back to your 'peace of mind' comment. It doesn't have a bit to do with new manufacture and sales. Your smith submitting for proof comment goes more to my point, our friends from the UK have told us repeatedly that a gun can not be submitted for proof without registration. Can or will that smith, register then release illegally, grandpa's old duck gun back to a customer who brought it in the door unregistered? First order of business will be to check if it's in proof.
Mentioned before, if it really is just peace of mind, you can get that with a good gunsmith. There's that old saying that we are just saving some of these classics for the next person. Sooner or later folks die off, and all some are really looking for is to identify and regulate legally unregistered guns. If you are a true fan of classic guns, let's say from a country that didn't mandate proof, why would you want it defaced with modern stamps.
