Before I start just let me say that I do have some understanding of the Federal system and I know that this is an argument that goes all the way back to the founding of this country. Having said that, I feel, especially when reading in this forum about other state's disparate gun laws, that we live not so much in one country, but fifty. While we all share a common heritage, language, culture, defense, and federal laws, the disparity of law in this country makes me shake my head in utter dumbfoundedness (is that a word?). Without going into specifics (I'll let you guys do that) we all know of many instances where a given act or possession of a particular item may be perfectly legal in one state and shit-hammering-illegal in another. I mean for Christ's sake, you can be executed in some states for a given offense while in others you may only get a moderate prison sentence or maybe even less.
This marked contrast is also true of the smaller governmental subdivisions such a counties, parishes, cities, and towns. I'll quote one unique example. I live in Carson City, Nevada. In Carson City (which is also a county) prostitution is illegal. A very few miles to the east on Hwy 50 and across the Lyon county line, prostitution is legal and in fact there is quite a selection of brothels. The whore houses are so close as to make the fact that they are illegal in Carson City a non sequitur.
While such legal disparities may act to provide refuge for those fleeing the draconian legislation of one jurisdiction or allow for variety in "community standards", IMHO the laws of a nation should be uniform and uniformly applied. I know this may be an overly simplistic view, but aren't many of our current problems rooted in our Byzantine labyrinth of laws, regulations, policies, etc, etc., ad nauseum? Look at the tax code. Look at any code. Can anyone in this country keep track of the laws in their own jurisdiction let alone in neighboring ones or nationally?
One national set of laws (not too many), uniform in scope, application, and enforcement, simple enough to be understood by all citizens. Is that unrealistic?
For those of you who will argue that the system as it exists allows for regional variation under the common umbrella of the federal government, I would argue that if you need to be that different, why not be separate?
Anyway, rake this one over the coals all you brilliant minds. And keep the bloodshed to a minimum.