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In reply to the discussion: What law would have stopped even half of the last 10 mass shootings? [View all]Sancho
(9,067 posts)15. 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.
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Making all long rifles illegal. Australia did a few years back and they are OFF the streets.
marble falls
Aug 2019
#2
If that's the case, how is it there are more guns in Australia now than before Port Arthur?
Marengo
Aug 2019
#44
True or False: There are more firearms in Australia now than prior to Port Arthur. Answer honestly..
Marengo
Aug 2019
#75
Which is irrelevant to my point. My refutation of the claim in post #2 is based solely on quantity,
Marengo
Aug 2019
#108
Ugh, let's try a different approach. Post #2 stated Australia had banned ALL rifles. This is not...
Marengo
Aug 2019
#120
I agree, Aussies can be allowed to have guns, since they have so much less gun violence
ExciteBike66
Aug 2019
#102
Posts like this make me crazy. Try researching what has happened with the rest of the world
hlthe2b
Aug 2019
#5
Yep. Hunting federally regulated game birds you are mandated 3 shell maximum.
GulfCoast66
Aug 2019
#19
That's apples to oranges.....the capacity of the shotgun doesn't change...
AncientGeezer
Aug 2019
#92
The spring goes full-length and is almost magazine diameter. The plug fits inside the spring.
MineralMan
Aug 2019
#105
How easily could larger magazines be 3D printed/CNC'd and assembled at home?
Sapient Donkey
Aug 2019
#52
And that little 9 year girl who was murdered in the Tucson massacre would still be alive
aeromanKC
Aug 2019
#53
Given how often we're seeing these crimes committed by young people, I think a Fed Ban on
mr_lebowski
Aug 2019
#31
The "assault weapon ban" seemed to help, BG checks for all transfers would help some,
Hoyt
Aug 2019
#35
I am really sick and tired of that f**king sorry ass excuse how it would not have stopped anything
still_one
Aug 2019
#37
The one they passed in Australia that's stopped all the major mass shooting since 1996.
meadowlander
Aug 2019
#54
USA law can't stop mass shootings, but new laws can reduce the severity of mass shootings.
NeoKryten
Aug 2019
#55
I posted this the other day, letting the assault weapons ban expire was the worst mistake!
Rhiannon12866
Aug 2019
#56
The only way to significantly reduce gun violence is to substantially reduce the number
jmg257
Aug 2019
#76
Bill's AWB would leave the 20million AWs out there alone, and would allow for millions more
jmg257
Aug 2019
#109
"Good place to start" is what I said. But AWB sunsetted & everything got worse.
Hekate
Aug 2019
#112
Yes because time passed. I think if we are gonna start, it should be something truly effective.
jmg257
Aug 2019
#113
Our inability to regulate firearms shows our culture values them over human life
DBoon
Aug 2019
#104
I can't think of any specific law that would have stopped 5 of the last 10 mass shootings.
Captain Stern
Aug 2019
#115