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Sancho

(9,112 posts)
36. People Control, Not Gun Control
Tue Dec 6, 2022, 01:21 PM
Dec 2022

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.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Open carry Bayard Dec 2022 #1
No open carry in Florida Aviation Pro Dec 2022 #7
Gunz. The answer to all life's problems. Itchinjim Dec 2022 #2
like alcohol-- the cause and solution to all life's problems... LymphocyteLover Dec 2022 #38
Yep, we're all a lot more polite to one another, aren't we, NRA? Aristus Dec 2022 #3
He was carrying a gun at the time? Baitball Blogger Dec 2022 #4
It's Florida Bettie Dec 2022 #21
I believe the story on another site said he had a concealed carry permit. Ray Bruns Dec 2022 #30
Both victims were over 80? WTF? Samrob Dec 2022 #56
our downstairs neighbor hit and scratched my wife GenXer47 Dec 2022 #5
I hope you called police XanaDUer2 Dec 2022 #12
Attack my wife and their is no happy ending for that man. He can pray I call the police ZonkerHarris Dec 2022 #43
Except in this story, he shot you first. NullTuples Dec 2022 #45
I guess it shouldn't matter GenXer47 Dec 2022 #54
That's good. Glad it wasn't some guy doing it. ZonkerHarris Dec 2022 #55
OMG IS THERE A DEATH PENALTY IN FL?? Justice matters. Dec 2022 #6
With the latest "stand your rinse cycle act" it's hard to say. jaxexpat Dec 2022 #24
This clown was licensed ccw. Sneederbunk Dec 2022 #8
Maybe the mf has dementia. raccoon Dec 2022 #11
Or maybe he doesn't & he just watches Fox News & DeSantis NullTuples Dec 2022 #46
He pertecked himself against those laundry room scofflaws. louis-t Dec 2022 #9
'Detectives say he said, "So sorry. I wish I could take it back."' Jim__ Dec 2022 #10
Protection XanaDUer2 Dec 2022 #13
He has been told a million times of invading hordes & "masks are fear, guns are protection". . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #22
That really is it. I've seen Fox News at the in-laws. NullTuples Dec 2022 #49
Yep. All very shrewd manipulation tactics. calimary Dec 2022 #52
Well, asshole, you can't take it back. Dead is forever. raccoon Dec 2022 #14
Sounds like another person whose brains were rotted by hate propaganda. Initech Dec 2022 #16
He chose to watch and listen Kaleva Dec 2022 #29
The time to think is before purchasing weapons, not after using them. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #19
Normally Im against prison rape and abuse. But this guy deserves anything that happens to him. ZonkerHarris Dec 2022 #44
After the first shot, it's easy to do it again and again and time again, until the bullets are spent sanatanadharma Dec 2022 #15
Well, I guess Hootman isn't going to have to worry about his laundry anymore. Vinca Dec 2022 #17
Would be fitting if he was assigned to work in the prison laundry room, for decades. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2022 #20
+1 KS Toronado Dec 2022 #47
Well Lindsey here are is one of those home grown terrorist. republianmushroom Dec 2022 #18
Because gunz make us safer IronLionZion Dec 2022 #23
They don't say how elder is elder bucolic_frolic Dec 2022 #25
What is being done is not working. Continuing to do the same thing is twodogsbarking Dec 2022 #26
This is what happens when you just let any ole asshole carry a loaded gun everywhere. hadEnuf Dec 2022 #27
This guy needs the chair! beaglelover Dec 2022 #28
Make it now 110 since Nov 1st? question everything Dec 2022 #31
Republicans have done... SergeStorms Dec 2022 #50
Prayers and blessings for the family. pazzyanne Dec 2022 #32
They should make him work in the prison laundry. Sky Jewels Dec 2022 #33
Proposal: new forum named "Florida Man" Fiendish Thingy Dec 2022 #34
Stories about Florida Man are found in Weird News Kaleva Dec 2022 #42
Anger, firearm, and the impulse to exert power Martin Eden Dec 2022 #35
"Shoot first. Ask questions later." calimary Dec 2022 #53
People Control, Not Gun Control Sancho Dec 2022 #36
My first thought . . . Richard D Dec 2022 #37
Too Many Guns dai13sy Dec 2022 #39
I know what you mean padah513 Dec 2022 #48
Just execute the man. One shot in the head. With his own gun. ZonkerHarris Dec 2022 #40
In "Talking to Strangers", Gladwell has a chapter ok_cpu Dec 2022 #41
If only everyone had a gun our lives would be so much safer. sinkingfeeling Dec 2022 #51
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