Where do you stand on banning guns?

[Kaleva]

18. Other

This is what i had posted in Meta:

Large capacity detachable magazines ought to be banned. For handguns, the magazine cannot extend past the bottom of the grip. For long guns, the maximum capacity of a detachable magazine for rifles and shotguns would be five rounds. There would be no exceptions for civilians. Those that currently have such mags would have to turn them in ( and be compensated for fair market value) or destroy them. The penalty for having one would be the same as for having an unregistered class III weapon. You'll note that I'm just talking about detachable magazines. I have no problem with guns that have an internal magazine such as the M-1 Garand which has a maximum internal magazine capacity of 8 rounds. The reason I don't have a problem with guns that have an internal magazine is that one cannot reload them as fast as a gun with a detachable magazine.

However, as the shooting at VT has shown, a person with semi-automatic handguns and alot of magazines can still kill quite a few people so I'd further propose that the manufacture in this country or importation of semi-automatic handguns for civilian use be banned. Semi-automatic handguns manufactured or imported into this country prior to the ban going into effect would remain legal to purchase, sell or own. I would also ban the manufacture in this country or importation of rimless and semi-rimmed handgun ammo for civilian use. Those who own a semi-automatic handgun, semi-rimmed or rimless ammo can turn in their weapon(s) and/or ammo and be compensated fair market value. There would be no such restrictions on revolvers, single shot (open break) handguns or rimmed handgun cartridges.

As for being able to purchase a gun or even ammo, one would have go thru the same procedures one currently does in order to get a concealed weapons permit. They would have to attend and successfully complete a certified training program applicable to the type of gun they wish to buy (handgun, rifle, shotgun) and go thru a background check and submit fingerprints. Those on active military duty or those veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge can submit a copy of their military I.D. or DD-214 to satisfy the training requirement. Upon completion of the course and background check, the person would be issued a permit that has a passport grade photo and info on which type of gun and ammo of any kind the person may buy or have in their possession. This permit would be valid for 5 years upon which it would have to be renewed. The permit can be revoked upon conviction of certain crimes or by court order. While the individuals states, US territories, and the District of Columbia would issues such permits to their residents, it would be valid in all 50 states, all US territories and the District of Columbia. All those with a permit will be entered into a national data base. As for sales, the seller, be it a licensed gun dealer or private person, would be required by law to verify that the buyer has a permit.

The aforementioned in regards to permits would be the federal minimum standard. Individual states and local jurisdictions may impose greater standards (such as prohibiting the possession of any handgun or semi-automatic long gun with a detachable magazine) but all must meet the federal minimum standard.

I'm not under any illusion that any of what I've mentioned has any chance of being enacted but they are my views on what would be effective gun control measures. Anything less then what I've suggested would be, IMHO, utterly useless in significantly reducing gun deaths.