Let me state one thing I HATE GUNS. I really don't see the need for them. That said, I am aware that I am probably in the minority and I've accepted this. Owning one or two guns for self defence and hunting for sustenance (not for wall trophies) I can comprehend. When I was taught to use a gun my teacher said if I wasn't willing to empty to clip in the person going after me then owning a gun would be more dangerous for me than a protection. That makes total sense to me, however, I don't believe I have it in me to kill anyone. I guess no one knows if they are capable or not of something so taboo until they are actually put in the situation. (I'm talking the average sane person here, not the wackjobs and gang members that seem to see it as a sport).
Gun violence today is becoming a common place thing mostly because people are all to willing to shoot off their gun when someone shoots off their mouth. This being said, no one EVER needs to own a fully automatic death spitting military grade gun. NO ONE. I think they should be turned into the military when you are discharged, they get one back if they reenlist but they have no place on the streets of any country where they can be wielded by revenge seeking people with low self control and no thought beyond the tip of their gun as to the lives they are taking.
Though I hate guns I would never deny anyone their second amendment rights to own them. As long as they are safe, kept in a gun vault or safe, out of the kids reach, and not taken out and showed to friends and family members how well 'protected' you are. This doesn't include the survivalists that are stockpiling guns and ammo for protection from the very government that gives them the right to bare arms. Yes, I'm talking about the militias out there that feel so impotent in their lives they have to invent conspiracies that the government is out to get them and they need to protect their family; from what, the government zombie Apocalypse? NO ONE NEEDS THAT MANY GUNS, THAT MANY BULLETS AND THAT MANY GRENADES. PERIOD! Guns should be used for imminent danger not your own private war. To add to that, no civilian needs armor piercing bullets. It's only purpose is to kill cops, owning them should be considered attempted murder of a police officer and carried out to the fullest extent of the law.
I know the current administration is trying to get their heads around what needs to be done to curb the violence and keep the most vulnerable ones in our nation safe. I don't think we will ever be able to do that unless we put those children in a prison like environment to keep them safe. They haven't done anything wrong. Children should be free to play and learn in a safe, open environment. Otherwise, we're just raising them like veal, ripe for the slaughter on the streets or in prison because that's all they know. And it really doesn't matter how hard the current administration tries, the NRA has attached themselves like leaches to so many politicians that they will blockade any and every attempt that might limit the amount of guns a person can have, shoot, keep in the reach of children, whether you are crazy or sane, you have the right to own and operate a gun.
My solution? I have to register my car, as it is a lethal weapon. If you don't know this, you shouldn't be allowed to drive. My registration fees goes toward (well supposed to go for) the upkeep on the roads and so forth. Guns should be presented and registered EVERY YEAR. It's not like we don't have the technology. Everyone has to register with fingerprints, serial numbers, makes and models and the general ammo that you shoot with it. Have the rifling patterns registered so when a gun is used in an illegal activity they know where the gun came from. Every year, those guns need to be scanned and updated. The sane honest people with guns shouldn't find this process as such a horrible experience as lets say the militia maniac who has hundreds of guns. If someone is caught in the process of a crime, or on the street with a weapon that isn't registered the are to be arrested for attempted murder because the only reason to carry a gun on your person is to kill someone. Now, if someone uses another persons gun and kills someone, not only is the shooter liable but also the registered owner, whether or not he knew that person has his gun. Unless he can provide a police report showing it has been stolen, like a car, he will be liable and just as culpable as the shooter. Hell, they can share a cell for all I care.
Fingerprinting can all be done electronically now, so people at gun shows can have a reader, or a person is read at the front of the show and an ID will come out with what they are able to buy. If someone hasn't paid their registration they can't buy any more guns. If someone has been reported as less than sane with violent idiations or fantasies, then that should send up a red flag and no one will sell to them.
The problem with this idea? Well, first, it will take money to set it up. The money earned from this effort would go to help the local police department, auditors that will go out and spot check and write tickets to people who haven't registered their gun, transferred the title or reported it stolen. The biggest problem I feel will be getting the militia to play along, they don't like the government to know what they have, the definitely don't want them sniffing around their property. If we are to draw our future from our past, many honest and hard working people will die because of one mans paranoia.
When will the killing stop? Will we as human beings ever stop seeing ourselves as disposable?
