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Sancho

(9,065 posts)
8. People Control, Not Gun Control
Sun May 22, 2016, 02:41 PM
May 2016

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 70’s, 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 weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s 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 it’s 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 learner’s 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 driver’s 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.
In gun crazed America SmittynMo May 2016 #1
who leaves a loaded gun, unattended in a house with a 5 year old? AlbertCat May 2016 #25
Yeah, stupid people SmittynMo May 2016 #41
This is not an accident, this is manslaughter at the very least. Vinca May 2016 #2
A friend of my fathers died this way CountAllVotes May 2016 #4
The right to own firearms doesn't mean children have to die. NutmegYankee May 2016 #5
They don't "have" to die, but they will die. Vinca May 2016 #18
What was it like sarisataka May 2016 #20
Pre-Heller wasn't any different. NutmegYankee May 2016 #23
Very little difference between the 2008 Heller decision and now. Kang Colby May 2016 #52
Yeah, gun promoters/lovers count George Zimmerman, etc., in that bogus "defensive Hoyt May 2016 #58
Hello, Hoyt. How's it been going? Kang Colby May 2016 #60
Well, in addition to the Zmans, you have people who pull their gun when it's really not Hoyt May 2016 #62
I'm not sure I agree with that, it sounds like you are trying to paint the majority of gun owners as Kang Colby May 2016 #63
Diverse? Sorry man, go to a few gun shows, gun stores or ranges. Tell us what you see. How about NRA Hoyt May 2016 #64
I guess it depends on where you live? Kang Colby May 2016 #65
Where do you think these gun shows are? Hoyt May 2016 #69
I don't know where those are, but if you drove past a gun show here in Atlanta Calista241 May 2016 #80
LMAO. When I'm back at my computer, I'll send you photos of white wingers lined Hoyt May 2016 #82
I agree with the response in post #80. Kang Colby May 2016 #81
No doubt, as humans we feel compelled to allege instances which publicly validate our biases LanternWaste May 2016 #85
If negligence can be shown, then a crime can be prosecuted askeptic May 2016 #26
One child's death atreides1 May 2016 #32
How far are you willing to take that? NutmegYankee May 2016 #37
This specious argument needs to be the next to die. lastlib May 2016 #56
It won't die because it's true. NutmegYankee May 2016 #61
There's no money to be made from the lives of innocent human beings Bad Dog May 2016 #68
Regular ole gunnuttery, unfortunately. n/t tom_kelly May 2016 #3
When parents/family are charged with involuntary manslaughter for leaving an unsecured loaded weapon no_hypocrisy May 2016 #6
I Doubt It SoCalMusicLover May 2016 #28
Actually, these deaths have been falling for years; less than 100/year... Eleanors38 May 2016 #29
Apparently we need more bullet-blooded kids' bodies before the gun-defenders will finally get it! sanatanadharma May 2016 #42
Your data does not comport with the National Safety Council or Eleanors38 May 2016 #44
It sounds to me like he carried his gun with him whereever he went (except the shower)... C Moon May 2016 #7
People Control, Not Gun Control Sancho May 2016 #8
Driving, fishing, boating not in the Bill of Rights askeptic May 2016 #13
Everything here is legal... Sancho May 2016 #15
dangerous people vs everyone else get a license askeptic May 2016 #31
And why are you leaving out part of it? A Simple Game May 2016 #35
Because the Supreme Court did. Ad Hominem noted. askeptic May 2016 #38
So you admit that the Supreme Court decision was unconstitutional. A Simple Game May 2016 #53
Nothing the Supreme Court has ever done could legally be considered unconstitutional. Calista241 May 2016 #79
What is Voter Registration if not a licence to vote? One_Life_To_Give May 2016 #16
Voter registration is hardly a license to vote. NutmegYankee May 2016 #24
I Thought Congress Banned Assault Weapons A While Back? TomCADem May 2016 #47
Congress banned marketing of civilian rifles under 19 scary names in '94, but banned no guns, benEzra May 2016 #73
I don't see how any of your points would have prevented this catastrophe Doctor_J May 2016 #17
The fallacy in your presentation is the assumption that a license means the holder will act in Hoppy May 2016 #36
Thank Jeebus the father AND the child didn't forfeit their gawd-given 2A right to protect valerief May 2016 #9
You bet, baby. Demobrat May 2016 #46
Dead children are just collateral damage to the NRA. keithbvadu2 May 2016 #10
"Left his gun on the table"? louis-t May 2016 #11
Project ChildSafe sarisataka May 2016 #12
Haley... Dont call me Shirley May 2016 #14
Our well regulated militia protects from the tyrannical government again Doctor_J May 2016 #19
How are people so comfortable with guns that they Ed Suspicious May 2016 #21
RIP, little one, you're in Good Hands now. libdem4life May 2016 #22
But He Gets To Keep His Guns SoCalMusicLover May 2016 #30
Probably...guess he can cuddle with them instead of his kids. So sad. libdem4life May 2016 #33
she's not in good hands, she is DEAD Skittles May 2016 #55
Yes, she is. Excuse my belief in the Universe libdem4life May 2016 #66
"left a 45 out on the table"?.... Hulk May 2016 #27
I feel so sorry for the whole family askeptic May 2016 #34
I hope he thinks back to what he could've done to prevent it. Every day. Demit May 2016 #57
Thanks to the nra and republican party rockfordfile May 2016 #39
No one has a right to own an unsafe gun. They need to take classes, pass a test and have insurance. McCamy Taylor May 2016 #40
The Bill of Rights does not need licenses or insurance askeptic May 2016 #43
Congress Has Also Prohibited Former Felons... TomCADem May 2016 #48
Huge pile of bullshit. Darb May 2016 #83
Guy needs to: go to jail, lose custody of remaining kids, forfeit right to own guns. Feathery Scout May 2016 #45
Sheriff's Office: 5-year-old girl accidentally kills herself with father’s gun in LaPlace tcbrola May 2016 #49
I am unsympatheric SpankMe May 2016 #50
Feel Really Sorry for the Girl's Sibling TomCADem May 2016 #59
Kick. Agschmid May 2016 #51
Why the obsession with this type of death? Kang Colby May 2016 #54
How many kids sacrificed The Wizard May 2016 #67
a gun can't save lives in the wrong hands, on your side or lock it up. ileus May 2016 #70
Exactly. There is no excuse for an unsecured firearm. ManiacJoe May 2016 #77
How many dead kids is enough for gun nuts? alarimer May 2016 #71
All of them SwankyXomb May 2016 #76
the paranoia of gun nuts trumps ALL Skittles May 2016 #78
I'm sure some gun nuts are totally fine with this. lark May 2016 #72
"Cop-killer bullets" were banned in 1986 (Public Law 99-408, 8/28/86). benEzra May 2016 #74
Missed that lark May 2016 #75
It's less than 1:100,000, closer to one in a million. Taitertots May 2016 #84
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