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,
Sonfbm