The Gun Control Short List or "At least 3 Things We Can All Agree On"

Here's a condensed list of what I consider to be some realistic and somewhat effective gun control measures that could be undertaken. Not an exhaustive list. None are dependent on the others. None seem to be mutually exclusive right now. Bold = realistically immediate. The rest are a bit "short" on reasonable and immediate implementation and (to be perfectly honest) not as feasible constitutionally nor at all palatable to most any citizen who is concerned with personal privacy. Numbers four and eight are exceptional and noteworthy as they are included to educate the "non-shooting" members of the voting public and to prevent further confusion about the nature of firearms and to demystify them as much as possible. 

It is my conviction that any 3 of these could be put through at any given time with speed and efficiency. Measures such as these would almost certainly lead to massive reform, improved safety and an agreeable future co-existence with our 2nd amendment for all US citizens.

1. Mandatory federal licensing and waiting periods on all gun purchases from registered dealers coupled with background checks (the granting of a license will be determined by factors such as criminal record, mental health issues, physical ability to actually use a gun, age, etc - with a periodic re-registration required).

2. Mandatory, safety/training courses required to obtain and maintain a license. 

3. Required, licensed, secured storage either within the home or a registered trust that is appropriate for the fire-arms that are registered to the owner. Criteria and UL-type certifications could be easily implemnted.

4. A national fire-arms sales database should be created that serves the purpose of tracking and monitoring with the ultimate goal of targeting problematic purchasers (i.e. mentally ill, potential criminal acts, etc).

5. Reinstate a slightly improved and re-named version of the Assault Weapons Ban. It had some serious flaws (strange formula that left lots of loop holes) and unnecessary language and requirements (that created a fulcrum of obfuscation). For example - "collapsible stocks" and barrel threading designs and purpose could be better defined in order to not only simplify but to also clarify the purpose of the ban. This would not only go a long way towards appeasing the gun lobby, it would further educate the public as to what is threatening and why.

The following are a bit more intense and not so palatable but should be put forth as political fodder to make room for the top 5. 

6. Random audits of registered weapons and gun collections based on points systems and flagging much like the tax auditing performed by the IRS.

7. Mandatory registration of all weapons owned by an individual with periodic (annual/semi-annual) re-registration required for all firearms owned (could be done electronically and should be free after any initial state/local/national registration fees are paid), the frequency of re-registration would be based on the owner’s permit level and the amount of guns owned.

     

8. A further clarification and creation of national standards for firearm classifications that clearly differentiates the types and purpose of various firearms to be used in  federal/state licensing procedures: determination of ownership level, number, frequency and purpose of firearms and firearm collections. Terms such as “assault weapons” should be avoided while more clear and widely accepted industry terms such as “military," "sporting," “law-enforcement,” and “self-defense” should be clearly defined and used instead.

This list is supposed to be short and quick to read. The following comments are simply included to demonstrate some reasoned qualifications and to encourage discussion. 
-Public conscience would be greatly assuaged.
-Economic benefit to not only the sporting goods/gun dealer industry but also towards generating tax revenue to covering the cost of the necessary government regulatory commission that would be required. Mandatory gun-classes are not only a good idea (i took one in high school, and so did many of my friends who hunt and let me tell you - i like the idea of my fellow gunmen having at least a modicum of training - I'll leave the accounts for other posts).
-You need a license to pilot cars, motorcycles, trucks and planes (and the really big boats) you should be licensed to own a gun.
-This is the information age. Federal tracking and registration of guns is not only possible but no more expensive or difficult than the registration of any other product such as automobiles or motorcycles. Any legitimate enthusiast should be proud to register a gun - especially if they consider it a "right."
-Please read my previous posting to trace my though process and to get any further explanation of my stance, opinion and a bit of my background with firearms.

In the wake of the recent tragedy that has taken place in Connecticut I feel compelled as a near lifelong hunter, gun-enthusiast, amateur gunsmith and public school teacher of nine years to speak on this event in a responsible and informed (as informed as a man in my position can be, at least) manner. This post is dedicated to my initial draft of a few things I consider to be "A Realistic Guide To Moderate and Responsible Gun Control."

Not all of the points could be implemented. The whole idea could be a farcical attempt at assuaging my own hobbies and interests but I fully believe that groups such as the NRA with their "cold dead hands" approach are just as much an obstacle to gun control reform as completely inexperienced uber-liberal types who wail about "yet another gun tragedy" every time these kinds of things happen. Performing acts such as these never occur to sane owners of firearms. Guns are not, in and of themselves problematic - unchecked ownership and subsequent usage of them by citizens incapable of sound decision making is the problem we are facing. 

It is my personal stance that these events are human tragedies and to blame the implements or the sicknesses of the individuals is to do an intense disservice to the lives of those affected and to the memories of those killed. The following is to serve as my own, "living" work dedicated to sussing out the details and finer points of a kind of gun control that is not only effective, but acceptable to citizens on both ends of the ownership spectrum.

Let me also make it clear that the ability of gun control measures to limit and curb criminal activity is not the intent of gun control legislation and it should not be couched as such. The very nature of criminal activity states that it exist outside of such measures. Finally - the measures are not intended to criminalize gun ownership or usage that is already considered legal.

Below I have listed several steps that could be implemented towards the realistic and practical implementation of gun control. These are not in any particular order but I have attempted to group them according to intent. These measures rely heavily on internet-based databases and services which make the registration and tracking of everything from automobiles to books much more possible now than ever before. My personal vision is to implement these in stages, gradually over the course of several years allowing for a compliance period within the industry, law-enforcement and citizenry:

1. Mandatory waiting periods on all gun purchases from registered dealers.

2. Mandatory registration of all weapons owned by an individual with periodic (annual/semi-annual) re-registration required for all firearms owned (could be done electronically and should be free after any initial state/local/national registration fees are paid), the frequency of re-registration would be based on the owner’s permit level and the amount of guns owned.

3. Mandatory gun safety and usage courses in order to obtain a mandatory, initial firearm ownership license (the granting of a license will be determined by factors such as criminal record, mental health issues, physical ability to actually use a gun, age, etc), with an annual/bi-annual re-registration required.

4. Random audits of registered weapons and gun collections much like the tax auditing performed by the IRS.

5. Required, licensed, secured storage either within the home or a registered trust that is appropriate for the fire-arms that are registered to the owner.

6. A national fire-arms sales database should be created that serves the following purposes:

            -Instant registration and tracking of all firearm purchases and purchases of the

“receiver parts” and those components that make up a “fire control group.”

-Limits the purchase of components and weapons by time-period and owner’s FFL licensing level (FFL 1,2,3 etc.). That is to say – citizens and gun collectors may only buy a limited number of guns/receivers/firecontrol components within a designated time period without being flagged. Dealers and gunsmiths may apply for higher-level licensing to increase this limit. “Flagging” would not immediately be considered criminal but would warrant immediate follow-up checks and audits of the buyer’s current registered guns.

-Consistent, fair, continuous monitoring of guns, their use, sales and location.

7. A further clarification and creation of national standards for firearm classifications that clearly differentiates the types and purpose of various firearms to be used in  federal/state licensing procedures: determination of ownership level, number, frequency and purpose of firearms and firearm collections. Terms such as “assault weapons” should be avoided while more clear and widely accepted terms such as “military” “law-enforcement” and “self-defense” should be clearly defined and used instead.

            -Suggested categories: Target, shooting sport, hunting, self-defense, Law-

enforcement/military.

-Categories should be based on: caliber, function, design and make-up of the

firearms’ internal workings (capable, ammunition capacity and the original designer’s

“intended usage” if there was one included in the design’s original patent.

Potential mistakes to be avoided:

1. Use of vague and sensational terminology such as “semi-automatic” and “assault weapon.” While these terms may seem at first blush to be appropriate monikers, the actual construction and firing mechanisms of what the common person (non-expert in firearms) considers to be an “Assault rifle” and what the expert sport shooting enthusiast or hunter calls an “auto-loader” are nearly identical in their internal function and components but appear to be completely different guns. In fact - the original definition of "assault rifle" as used by the expired Assault Weapons Ban has created confusion that extremists use to their advantage. Mis-information only muddies the water. I'll spare you a cut-and-paste job with the list and "more than 2 out of 5" qualifier-type statements. Clear lines need to be drawn. Education is key.

2. Overly broad reach in any Presidential or Legislative attempts – gradual moderation will be key.

3. Enacting such legislation and viewing it as a panacea, while ignoring the fact that the goals of the end-user are ultimately to blame. Any measures towards realistic gun control should be tempered by fully communicating the intended purpose – to control access to harmful weapons and regulate their use to only those citizens responsible enough to execute a moderate amount of civil responsibility.

To be continued

I've dabbled in blogging a tiny bit in the past but never with any true zeal. I don't expect this newest attempt to be any more active or consistent, rather as an outlet for those moments when I feel compelled to pen my thoughts. Occasionally while making my way through each day I have a notion that sticks in my craw which I'd like to share. So - this is where I'll start.