New legislation would require a seven-day waiting period in the sale of handguns to private individuals, in order that records of prisons could be checked and the sale of handguns to people likely to hurt other people thereby prevented. People opposed to this legislation claim that prison records are so full of errors that the proposed law would prevent as many law-abiding citizens as criminals from having access to handguns.
If the claim made by people opposed to the new legislation is true, which one of the following is a principle that, if established, would do the most to justify opposition to the new legislation on the basis of that claim?
(A) The rights of law-abiding citizens are more worthy of protection than are the rights of criminals.
(B) Nothing should be done to restrict potential criminals at the cost of placing restrictions on law-abiding citizens.
(C) Legislation should not be enacted if no benefit could accrue to society as a result of that legislation.
(D) No restrictions should be placed on the sale of merchandise unless sale of that merchandise could endanger innocent people.
(E) Even citizens who are neither fugitives nor felons should not be permitted to own a handgun unless they have received adequate training.
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Regards, S

The question is asking us to "justify" the opposition i.e. strengthen the claim from opposition side. Answer (E) fits best.

OA please ?
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CHANCE FAVORS THE PREPARED MINDS !

"B".

Bet "A" and "B" I pick "B". In general the stem is saying that in order to prevent one bad person to do something, one shudn't generalize that rule and prevent everyone else also. No where it hints that bad person has lesser rights than a good person.

Proposal:
New legislation would require a seven-day waiting period in the sale of handguns to private individuals, in order that records of prisons could be checked and the sale of handguns to people likely to hurt other people thereby prevented.

There are people who oppose and there are people who favor this proposal.
Now the people who oppose this legislation claim that

prison records are so full of errors that the proposed law would prevent as many law-abiding citizens as criminals from having access to handguns.

if whatever the opponents are saying is true if the ligislation is infact not passed then how can one justify that act or on what priciples can one justify not passing the legislation?


If the principle is that "dont do anything to restrict the crimnals at the cost of restricting law abiding citizens" then whatever opponents are saying can be justified.

Basically the argument is asking what is justification given by the opponents.?

Indeed Anand, you have already crossed the GMAT hurdle. I really appreciate your help in getting guys like me to understand things.
Best wishes and regards
S
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Regards, S