Something a lot of gun control proponents never think about is how labyrinthine regulations open up opportunities for graft and corruption. When people can’t understand the law or when they have to jump through hoops, there will be those willing to pay to make their lives easier. More importantly, there will be those who will want money from people when they aren’t supposed to.

A great example popped up recently in the U.K.

A former police constable who charged almost £400 for gun control advicewhich should have been free, demanding payment from two hotels, is facing jail.

Paul Duffield, 55, billed the Black Swan Hotel for £393 and also tried to charge the Feversham Arms Hotel while he held the post of civilian firearms enforcement officer at North Yorkshire Police.

Yorkshire is known for its driven grouse shooting on the moors which straddle the A1 motorway.

Both of the hotels Duffieldadvised are in the market town of Helmsley, which is considered a hotspot for the sport and hosts shooting parties involving hundreds of game.

Duffieldadmitted two counts of misconduct in a public office and two counts of possessing firearms without authority at Teesside Crown Court.

In other words, because of the difficult to navigate gun laws in the United Kingdom, Duffield was able to jump on the opportunity to make a little money on the side.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not justifying this in any way, shape, or form. What Duffield did is a crime and should be a crime. There’s no excuse for it. He deserves to be punished for betraying the public trust.

However, my point is that this will happen in places with strict gun control. People will continue to want guns and people who think they’re underpaid and lacking in scruples will find one another and recognize that they can conduct a business transaction. Those civil servants may also bilk people out of money under the guise of it being a fee for their services, then pocket the money.

Lord knows, the Brits pay enough to the government as it is. Then again, that may also be why they’d believe it to be a legal fee rather than an opportunistic constable.

Folks, this will happen again, and it’s even happened here. New York City has a massive scandal with its gun permit program due to officials accepting bribes in exchange for gun permits.

Don’t think Americans are immune to this kind of crap.

When the right to keep and bear arms is unfettered, there’s no way to monetize graft over guns. Officials can’t exclude people who don’t pay because they can’t exclude anyone. That is freedom for you, and a free society is a lot less likely to have corruption, contrary to what many like to think. That’s because there’s no way for corruption to take hold.

It’s a lesson the U.K. would do well to learn, though I doubt they will. It’s unfortunate, though, because I’m quite sure Duffield isn’t the only official making money on the side thanks to the nation’s gun laws.