hockeyplayer1015
Capt
Re: Days Since Last Mass Shooting: 0
Kepler, as others have alluded to, the list you asked for thoughts of is mostly alright, IMO, as well.
-Assault Weapon/Rifle/Gun/KILLING DEVICE is really just a media earworm. Other than looks, there is virtually nothing that an assault weapon does/doesn't do that your run of the mill hunting rifle can/can't do. It just looks "scary" doing it. 99.9% of weapons accessible by the public are 1 trigger pull, 1 round fired. You are then limited by magazine capacity, which is regulated at the state level by your usual suspects. You could limit magazine size at the federal level, but then killers could just carry more magazines in total. Reloading, assuming reasonable training with a weapon might take 5 seconds, likely less. Not exactly a major hindrance.
-So let's create a gun licensing criteria to even own a firearm of any kind (in addition to already implemented handgun/concealed carry training). This would essentially be a 'cover all weapons, from shotguns, to rifles AND handguns' class. Call it "Owning a firearm 101". Make it 16, 24, hell even 40 hours. Obviously covering safety primarily, but going into related topics too. To purchase/own a handgun requires additional class(es) that cover more specifics related to strictly handguns, as is currently in place. But then, how do you enforce current gun owners if this is implemented? "Oh, you can't handle your gun until you take this new class" probably won't be too successful, so are current owners grandfathered in, but to purchase would need to have it taken care of? Seems like the only realistic option, and one that I think the majority of current gun owners would be fine with. Additionally, this MAY deter a minor percentage of future mass shootings, but it may have no effect. Somebody intending to kill people likely doesn't care what they have to do to meet that "goal", it isn't like they are looking beyond their plan since they'll very likely wind up in prison or dead.
-To go along with the previous point, maybe even require a comprehensive medical screening to register for said class? I only question how effective it would/could be, as it's too easy to just answer questions regarding medical issues without being honest.
-Ban private sales (or, at minimum, require them to take place through an authorized ATF dealer, thus requiring a background check). Sure, that's fair, and something I doubt that there should be much issue with (I'm with Sciatoka on this, I would never sell to somebody I don't know; unfortunately that mindset isn't as common as it should be).
- I'm not at all against making harsh laws against gun owners who improperly secure their weapon cache, particularly so minors cannot access them. If it happens, kiss your guns goodbye. Forever. Locked gun safe/case, trigger lock, even a chamber lock. Maybe even implement laws requiring guns and ammunition be locked away separately (most responsible gun owners, especially with children, should already do this. Many probably do, but let's make it law.) May not actively prevent things from happening, but the consequence is made more severe.
What does the pro-gun and anti-gun contingent here think of this?
Kepler, as others have alluded to, the list you asked for thoughts of is mostly alright, IMO, as well.
-Assault Weapon/Rifle/Gun/KILLING DEVICE is really just a media earworm. Other than looks, there is virtually nothing that an assault weapon does/doesn't do that your run of the mill hunting rifle can/can't do. It just looks "scary" doing it. 99.9% of weapons accessible by the public are 1 trigger pull, 1 round fired. You are then limited by magazine capacity, which is regulated at the state level by your usual suspects. You could limit magazine size at the federal level, but then killers could just carry more magazines in total. Reloading, assuming reasonable training with a weapon might take 5 seconds, likely less. Not exactly a major hindrance.
-So let's create a gun licensing criteria to even own a firearm of any kind (in addition to already implemented handgun/concealed carry training). This would essentially be a 'cover all weapons, from shotguns, to rifles AND handguns' class. Call it "Owning a firearm 101". Make it 16, 24, hell even 40 hours. Obviously covering safety primarily, but going into related topics too. To purchase/own a handgun requires additional class(es) that cover more specifics related to strictly handguns, as is currently in place. But then, how do you enforce current gun owners if this is implemented? "Oh, you can't handle your gun until you take this new class" probably won't be too successful, so are current owners grandfathered in, but to purchase would need to have it taken care of? Seems like the only realistic option, and one that I think the majority of current gun owners would be fine with. Additionally, this MAY deter a minor percentage of future mass shootings, but it may have no effect. Somebody intending to kill people likely doesn't care what they have to do to meet that "goal", it isn't like they are looking beyond their plan since they'll very likely wind up in prison or dead.
-To go along with the previous point, maybe even require a comprehensive medical screening to register for said class? I only question how effective it would/could be, as it's too easy to just answer questions regarding medical issues without being honest.
-Ban private sales (or, at minimum, require them to take place through an authorized ATF dealer, thus requiring a background check). Sure, that's fair, and something I doubt that there should be much issue with (I'm with Sciatoka on this, I would never sell to somebody I don't know; unfortunately that mindset isn't as common as it should be).
- I'm not at all against making harsh laws against gun owners who improperly secure their weapon cache, particularly so minors cannot access them. If it happens, kiss your guns goodbye. Forever. Locked gun safe/case, trigger lock, even a chamber lock. Maybe even implement laws requiring guns and ammunition be locked away separately (most responsible gun owners, especially with children, should already do this. Many probably do, but let's make it law.) May not actively prevent things from happening, but the consequence is made more severe.
What does the pro-gun and anti-gun contingent here think of this?
