Exactly. Besides, drivers already can have a loaded gun in their car. All they have to do is obtain a concealed weapons permit. For about $60, they undergo a background check and are instructed in safety, shooting skills and the law as it pertains to the use of deadly force.

What's wrong with that?

Madsen says he got the idea for the bill from an unnamed lawmaker who thought loaded guns were a good idea after he had lived in Washington, D.C., the so-called "carjacking capital of the world." Memo to Madsen: Does this look like Washington, D.C., to you?

According to the law, your life must be in imminent danger before you can shoot someone. In other words, getting cut off in traffic doesn't qualify. Even the mere waving of a gun at another motorist for perceived offenses is criminal.

Most cops would tell you that by the time your life was in imminent danger — i.e. a carjacking — it would be too late to pull a pistol anyway.

Maybe you should leave it in your castle.

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Doug Robinson's column runs on Tuesdays. E-mail drob@desnews.com.