Before I start anything, this conversation is the definition of insanity. We keep doing and saying the same things and expecting a different result. It's time for a change. I've emailed my senators and representatives, but given the right wing nature of them all I expect no response or the usual 2nd amendment BS political statement.
We can't make guns illegal. There is the 2nd Amendment.
I have to call BS on that. It's an amendment. By definition we can change it. Granted I don't think that's the answer here, but we can ban all guns be repealing the 2nd amendment - not going to happen though.
What does gun reform look like to you? What specific changes would you suggest? To call for gun reform without suggestions is like asking an arsonist to turn up the heat.
Let's start with lifting the ban on researching gun violence. Yes, we should actually spend some federal dollars to research and develop a solution. That shows the degree of this pro gun stupidity in this country.
Recognize that more Americans are killed by Americans with guns or by accident or by suicide than those killed fighting terrorists, killed by terrorists, or subjected to a crime by an immigrant. Stop the shiny object arguments and solve real problems of people getting killed.
Recognize that more guns equals more violence. Kansas and Oklahoma have more gun violence per capita than New York and New Jersey. Why, because they have stricter gun laws. You can drop the mic on that one.
The gun free zone argument is BS. Gun violence happens where the person has some connection. It happens in schools because young people don't have the mental help they need and get easy access to guns to commit a crime against the people that supposedly wronged them. I'm betting this new shooting will show some connection between the shooter and the school. It's either that or the shooters are picking locations based on some badly conceived belief that these people are doing something wrong like the shootings at church in SC or the Jewish center in KC. The whole argument is just a political talking point that doesn't solve anything. Granted gun free zones don't solve anything either. It's not like they physically stop people or have police checking it, but at least it's an attempt to slow down the violence.
Start a registration of gun owners. It's BS to say you can't. I have to be registered to vote and probably provide more information to get that done that I would need to own a gun in Kansas (your state may be different). My right to vote is absolute just like my right to own a gun so why do I register for the thing that isn't designed to be a lethal weapon? Why is my right to vote impinged on? People are afraid of voter fraud that has happened maybe once in the history of Kansas, but 9000+ gun deaths in the US, who cares. In the same vein, I go through more to get a driver's license than own a gun and definitely had more training (although i think that was limited too.) Legal gun owners should not be afraid of registration. It's not like the gubmint is tracking me based on my driver's license (other than jury duty). It will also help track 2nd hand sales and help police track guns back to the murderer. I know, horrible ideas to actually help police solve gun related murders.
Ban fully automatic weapons (sorry Mskies). Rifles are made for hunting and pistols are made for defense. Granted I think a good 12 gauge is the best home defense. The knock down power will stop any intruder and I don't have to aim. Anything fully automatic is made for assault. We can ban selected classes of firearms. The 2nd amendment will allow it. If not, why doesn't every gun nut own an RPG or have a personal tomohawk missile. They are just bigger arms that we have a right to after all.
Require a safety class to own weapons. Yes, before you can be registered, you must pass a safety class that says you're smart enough to own a gun. That might be a little harder depending on current gun law rulings, but it would not slow down the honest gun owner.
Set an age limit. Kids under 18 cannot carry a gun without an adult nearby. Maybe have an exception for hunting, but that's it. You can't vote until you're 18, that means your full rights aren't in effect until 18. That means no guns until you're 18.
Start a database of the mentally ill that is checked during background checks. This gets more complicated based on peoples rights, but we have a no fly list, why not a no gun list. List all felons and those sent by the courts for mental illness help of some kind as a start. We have to start telling people, no you can't own a gun. You lost that right because...
Give the FBI more time and the tools it needs to do a thorough background check. The kid in SC got by on his because of a technicality. Honest gun owners won't mind. It's only a nuisance the first time.
Fully enforce the gun laws we have on the books. That means actually funding the agencies that need to do this.
Stop lifting gun regulations everywhere. Arizona legalized guns in bars because drinking and guns is a smart idea.
