Gun Reform, Gun Reform! Wherefore art thou Gun Reform?
It won’t happen because people take an emotional resistance to, “we are going to take away your guns;” posts or memes that offer shallow, feel-good clichés; people begging for their idea of common-sense gun reform; or because high school students — who a couple weeks ago were taking the Tide pod challenge while watching the newest episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians — decide to start walking out of class in “protest.” Protesting against violence by BEING violent towards anyone who doesn’t agree with them.
I’m not an NRA member; I don’t own a gun; don’t particularly like guns (excluding those in video games); But, I would like to offer up these proposals because to me, they make sense:
Regarding background checks. . . .most transactions, whether at a gun show or a retailer, require background checks. Most sales at a gun show are by a licensed dealer and require a background check. But just make it simple. If cash exchanges hands – at a store, gun show, want ads, personal sale – a background check is required. But understand, the background check system will only do so much.
What really has to change are the health privacy laws which would allow reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) those committed, treated, or restricted by authorities because of mental instability. Jared Loughner, who shot Gabby Giffords and killed six and wounded 13 more in Tucson in 2011, was so unquestionably unstable that he was barred from his college campus as a danger to himself and others. And, he did not use a so-called “weapon of war” but a pistol. The identification and listing of those suffering serious mental health issues must be addressed legislatively on a national and regional level. If the police are called 39 times on one individual, s/he might need help.
Domestic violence is an early warning for needed intervention. In Alaska, a person accused of domestic violence will receive a visit from local law enforcement who then will confiscate all firearms. This should not be restricted to spouses only but to partners, romantic partners, and stalkers. This is a double edged sword though – bitter breakups sometimes involve false accusations.
As for raising the age to 21 to buy a firearm – nothing more than an escape route for politicians (and CEOs – yes, I’m looking at you Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods) to claim they’re doing something. If we require someone to be 21 years of age to purchase a firearm but only 18 to enlist in the military, then what?
As for banning the AR-15 (by the way, AR does NOT stand for Assault Rifle), you would then be banning simple hunting rifles that have been used for decades by thousands of hunters in the United States. The FBI Violent Crime Statistics over the last 10 years show 80% of murders involving a firearm are committed with a handgun. Twice as many people are beaten to death (fists/hands) than are murdered by all types of rifles combined.
In conclusion, we don’t need thoughts and prayers, gun confiscation, or even Tide pod-eating teenagers protesting. What we need are intelligent politicians (I know, I know, that is an oxymoron) who are willing to research problems instead of towing the lobbyist line for more campaign dollars.
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