General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo the mentally unstable woman who shot up the YouTube campus owned and carried her gun legally.
So did the Parkland, Florida shooter.
And the Las Vegas shooter.
And the San Bernardino shooters.
And the Charleston shooter.
And so many others.
They owned their guns legally.
They owned their guns.
They were gun owners.
Don't even try to tell me that guns and gun ownership are not part of the problem.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)JDC
(10,137 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Once it gets in the hands of a person, far too many take that legal weapon and use it to destroy lives.
Gun owners cry about their "constitutional rights," but what of the rights of others, to NOT be gunned down in the street, or at a school, or in a nightclub, or visiting a relative, or at work, or on the road, etc.? Is this any way to live? Is this freedom?
Initech
(100,121 posts)It's going to take years, lives, and maybe a war before we finally cure the addiction but in the end it will be worth it.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,060 posts)Stinky The Clown
(67,834 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,060 posts)Gun ownership is much easier and more prevalent when there is little gun control.
Mental health services help, but have limited reach.
samir.g
(835 posts)7962
(11,841 posts)Likely NEVER will happen.
Not to mention 300+ million already out there.
hunter
(38,339 posts)Guns can be handled as smoking and drunk driving were.
All it takes is someone saying, "Honey, it's me or your guns..."
The law will follow.
Gun fetishes are disgusting.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)I don't think there would be four victims in the hospital.
Point for the Parkland movement.
The type of weapon/rounds makes a difference.
Sancho
(9,070 posts)People Control, Not Gun Control
This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
For those who want to argue legality, please reference: The Second Amendment: A Biography by Michael Waldman
Stinky The Clown
(67,834 posts)FUCK GUNZ and FUCK ALL GUN OWNERS. They are ALL part of the fucking problem.
Tumbulu
(6,292 posts)Thanks for writing it out so clearly.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Than it is to get treatment for mental illness. Anger management issues? Don't see a counselor, get a gun. Faster and cheaper, and there's a whole horde of knuckleheads who will cheer you on.
moondust
(20,019 posts)they were all a "good guy with a gun."
And then they weren't.
Who's next?