Gun Control
Many of my friends seem to believe that "gun control" implies the ability to accurately hit a target from a distance, and that effective gun control is the ability to hit the target in the middle over and over again. Perhaps I need to get some new friends....
Gun Control is a very serious issue -- particularly for those of us who live in big cities and have come face to face with the muzzle end of a gun. At a visceral level I would welcome full and complete gun control and would readily to take the NRA up on their offer of removing the guns from their cold dead hands. But at the same time, my brain intervenes and points out that it is both a political and a factual reality that a total and complete ban on guns would be as effective in controlling guns as the Volstead Act was in controlling alcohol. All that it will do is provide another source of revenue for the bad guys, create a situation where the truly dangerous weapons cannot be kept off the street, and result in wasted enforcement on less important problems.
What can be done? I am not certain, but I would offer a number of suggestions (some of which are mine, many of which are gleefully stolen without credit).
1. Link Gun Ownership to Active Membership in the National Guard or Reserve.
In order to own a gun of any kind, someone in the household must be an active member of the National Guard or Army Reserve, or have been a member up through the age of 50. Thus would track with the Constitutional requirement for a well regulated Militia, would ensure at least some training in the proper handling of firearms, and would ensure a steady stream of soldiers and help the guard and reserve meet their steadily growing demands.
I cannot claim credit for this idea. It is really the idea of one of my relatives, but in today's climate this solves a multitude of problems. It also, at least indirectly, places a "competency" test on the ownership of guns as someone who is deemed inappropriate for membership in the Guard or Reserve would also lose their rights to own guns. Although this idea was developed before the Guard and Reserve were under fire in the middle east, the fact that they are now in combat does not change the validity of this approach. Further, this approach can stand with almost any other form of gun regulation. (For example, a requirement that guns only be sold by specified entities -- perhaps only the guard or reserve)
2. Impose significant restrictions on the sale of ammunition. Guns are certainly a significant problem. And they last for a very long time and if properly maintained can work for years. Ammunition, in contrast, has a fare shorter shelf life. By imposing far stricter limitations on the sale of ammunition, guns can be indirectly controlled. (As with other ideas, this can work in conjunction with other methods of gun control).
3. Expressly Permit Only Certain Guns. Under the current system, specific types of guns are not allowed. The gun makers and enthusiasts, in turn, modify the banned guns with changes to allow them to be used. This results in many types of guns remaining out on the market which are neither safe nor effective. Under this alternate system, only expressly approved gun models could be sold.
Just a few thoughts from my overheated mind....
Gun Control is a very serious issue -- particularly for those of us who live in big cities and have come face to face with the muzzle end of a gun. At a visceral level I would welcome full and complete gun control and would readily to take the NRA up on their offer of removing the guns from their cold dead hands. But at the same time, my brain intervenes and points out that it is both a political and a factual reality that a total and complete ban on guns would be as effective in controlling guns as the Volstead Act was in controlling alcohol. All that it will do is provide another source of revenue for the bad guys, create a situation where the truly dangerous weapons cannot be kept off the street, and result in wasted enforcement on less important problems.
What can be done? I am not certain, but I would offer a number of suggestions (some of which are mine, many of which are gleefully stolen without credit).
1. Link Gun Ownership to Active Membership in the National Guard or Reserve.
In order to own a gun of any kind, someone in the household must be an active member of the National Guard or Army Reserve, or have been a member up through the age of 50. Thus would track with the Constitutional requirement for a well regulated Militia, would ensure at least some training in the proper handling of firearms, and would ensure a steady stream of soldiers and help the guard and reserve meet their steadily growing demands.
I cannot claim credit for this idea. It is really the idea of one of my relatives, but in today's climate this solves a multitude of problems. It also, at least indirectly, places a "competency" test on the ownership of guns as someone who is deemed inappropriate for membership in the Guard or Reserve would also lose their rights to own guns. Although this idea was developed before the Guard and Reserve were under fire in the middle east, the fact that they are now in combat does not change the validity of this approach. Further, this approach can stand with almost any other form of gun regulation. (For example, a requirement that guns only be sold by specified entities -- perhaps only the guard or reserve)
2. Impose significant restrictions on the sale of ammunition. Guns are certainly a significant problem. And they last for a very long time and if properly maintained can work for years. Ammunition, in contrast, has a fare shorter shelf life. By imposing far stricter limitations on the sale of ammunition, guns can be indirectly controlled. (As with other ideas, this can work in conjunction with other methods of gun control).
3. Expressly Permit Only Certain Guns. Under the current system, specific types of guns are not allowed. The gun makers and enthusiasts, in turn, modify the banned guns with changes to allow them to be used. This results in many types of guns remaining out on the market which are neither safe nor effective. Under this alternate system, only expressly approved gun models could be sold.
Just a few thoughts from my overheated mind....
posted by prophet of doom | 10:30 AM
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