After reviewing my Video of the Day, I have decided to put together my thoughts on reasonable gun safety.
Let’s accept the fact that the 2nd Amendment allows the people the right to bear arms. Let’s accept the fact that taking away people’s guns is a non-starter. Let’s accept the fact that most citizens are responsible gun owners and use guns for self-defense, hunting or sporting as appropriate. Let’s accept the fact that with over 398 million guns in America that anyone who wants a gun will get a gun. Let’s accept the fact that in certain states guns are part of the culture and young people are around guns from the day they are born. They are facts that we cannot dispute. With that in mind, lets consider the following as a reasonable alternative for good gun safety.
- Any U.S citizen or legal alien over 18 years old, who has not been previously convicted of a crime, has not had a DUI/OUI in the last three year, has no outstanding warrants, has not been dishonorably discharged from the military, may own a non-automatic gun that shoots only one bullet with each pull of the trigger providing. I prefer the age to be 21, but if 18-year-olds are allowed to fight for our country than they should be able to buy a gun.
- Anyone previously admitted to a hospital for mental health issues, drug or substance abuse will not be able to purchase a gun for at least three years following the discharge from the hospital and they have received a certified affidavit from a licensed physician indicating it is safe for the person to own a gun.
- Each state will develop their own “red flag” criteria in which citizens may be banned from purchasing or owning a gun.
- Prior to being able to purchase a gun, each person must complete a gun safety class at a certified and licensed trainer approved by the local municipality.
- At the time of purchase each gun must be registered with the state in which it was purchased.
- Any (automatic or semi-automatic) gun that can discharge multiple bullets with a single pull of the trigger will be limited to law enforcement and military personnel and be illegal for all others. No exceptions.
- To help get the semi-automatic and automatic weapons off the street, people will be allowed during the first 60 days to turn their guns into any law enforcement office without concern about prosecution. After 60 days, possession of an automatic or semi-automatic weapon by a non-law enforcement will be considered a felony.
- Sales of ammunition are not protected by the 2nd amendment. As such, sales of ammunition to private citizens will be limited to only those guns registered in their name.
- If minors, 15 years and younger, are in a home, guns and ammunition must be secured and not available to the minor. If a minor 15 years and younger possesses a gun registered by an adult from the same household, the adult will be prosecuted for violating proper safety of a gun.
- Handguns are an important part of home defense for many people and consistent with the purpose of the 2nd amendment. However, carrying handguns outside of ones’ home will only be allowed for those people who have met state requirements for open carry or for a concealed weapon permit for those guns which are registered in their name.
Elections Matter. Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence?
Quote of the Day: “The constitution shall never be construed…to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” Alexander Hamilton.
Orchid of the Day: To all veterans.
Onion of the Day: The NRA for going forward with their annual convention in Houston Texas, less that a week after the mass shooting of 21 people in Uvalde, Texas
Question of the Day: Yesterday was Memorial Day in which we honor our veterans. Wouldn’t it be better to honor our veterans by making them and their spouses (if married while active duty) automatically eligible for Medicare upon honorable discharge from the service for the remainder of their lives?
Video of the Day: The explosive effect of an AR-15 vs a 9MM hand gun.
A semi automatic is a one trigger pull one discharge, the force of the discharge operates the slide letting the next round feed into position.
Dan,
Thanx. I have corrected my error in subsequent post. Regardless these guns when paired with high capacity magazines can do extensive damage in a short time. There was a compelling story of one of the pediatric ER doctors near the Uvalde school sharing the shock of seeing the damage the bullets from the weapon did to the body of the young kids. They were only able to identify the child because of the clothes and shoes. The head was not recognizable. I cannot imagine the horror of the parents. Yes I can. We saw what a 9MM did to the back of the head to Leah’s mom when she was murdered.
Biggs