2nd amendment

[smccarter]

5. Responsible is a nice word...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/responsible
answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management

To own a gun is a HUGE responsibility. I read a post a few days ago about a man in Georgia shooting and killing anther man. Evidently, man 2 was turning his car around in man 1's drive way. This is an example of the exact opposite of responsible.

I also read a post about a man, while exercising his right to "keep and bear arms", took a holstered handgun into a privately owned establishment and shot himself in the leg. Another perfect example of the exact opposite of responsible. Not to mention the implication of what else might have gone wrong in that situation - who else might have been injured or killed by "accident". Is it really an accident when the event was caused by the actions of an irresponsible person in the first place?

This list of examples could go on and on for days. We can argue this issue, or we can all agree that to do nothing about the current state of this issue would be nothing short of criminal.

The question really shouldn't be "who determines whether a person is responsible?". By the very definition of the word responsible, each individual needs to be held accountable to the fact that they feel responsible enough to own a firearm.

If a person wants to own a gun, they should have no qualms about first gaining a little bit of insight about what it means to be a responsible gun owner. State colleges, tech schools, etc... could teach free classes to any potential gun owner on the subject. Topics would need to include how to safely handle, store, and clean a weapon (I took a hunters education course when I was in my teens - taught me quite a bit). A thorough background check is an absolute must. There is no argument worth discussing otherwise. As part of the agreement to be responsible, the potential owner should be required to be checked out on the particular weapon they are purchasing. Local gun ranges could be certified to train individuals how to use the weapon correctly and safely. In addition, any person believing that they are responsible should have no reason not to add a rider to their home owners insurance policy covering any incident involving the firearms that they've purchased.

The other side of all of this would be the penalty for improper use of a weapon. If a gun owner is convicted of a felony, that person already loses their 2nd amendment right. I'd take it quite a bit further than that... not only felons, but would include regulations with very stiff penalties for improper use or handling of firearms. 1st offence $5,000 fine, 2nd offence $100,000 fine and the forfeiture of all weapons, 3rd offence - since the party wasn't supposed to have a weapon after the 2nd offence - prison time.

It's not that guns are necessarily bad. Guns are bad in the hands of irresponsible people. We live in a country where we have the right to own these weapons. It's wonderful to live in such a free society, but freedom is an awesome responsibility in and of itself. We need to stop arguing, accept the fact that Americans have the right to own firearms, and start acting like we understand what freedom actually means.

I state again that the 2nd amendment guarantees an individual the right to keep and bear arms. It also guarantees that all individuals have the right to protect themselves from irresponsible gun owners. It's a 2 way street.

I am a very responsible person. I discovered early in my adult life that I was an extremely responsive person. I am very quick to react to any situation. I sum things up very rapidly and respond to any situation with extreme efficiency. The problem with being that type of person, and being a gun owner, was that eventually I was going to make a mistake and shoot someone. I realized that as a responsible gun owner, the only solution to this was to sell all of my guns - which I did. I am not a gun owner, but I am an American. The constitution isn't just a piece of paper. The rights and freedoms that it guarantees each of us needs to be defended. And don't misinterpret that. I'm not saying that we need to arm ourselves to the teeth and start shooting people. The defence needs to be intelligent. It can be handled very democratically through discussion, debate, and legislation.

The American gun culture needs to change. By providing information/training and setting rules (regulations) that are easily enforceable, the decision making process will change. Educating people on the meaning of the word "responsible" will start the process. In a nut shell, Americans need to calm down, take a step back, and take a very good look at what we've become. Then start moving on this issue responsibly.