Solving the gun problem

  1. First, let us all acknowledge that we have a gun problem. We can’t, of course—not unanimously. There are a lot of people who think what’s going on is fine. Maybe natural selection. If only all those people had been armed, they could have defended themselves—right? Except that police officers are killed all the time, and they’re armed. Look at Dallas, for example. (It’s worth noting that the number of LEOs killed in the line of duty has been lower in the last few years, which is great news. But most people can agree that we have a gun problem: There are too many people with guns who simply shouldn’t have them.
  2. So, what do we do about it? Pass federal laws restricting certain people from owning guns. We already do this, of course. Felons, undocumented immigrants, those committed to mental institutions, and anyone dishonorably discharged from the military, for example, can’t legally own guns. But the list ought to be longer.
  3. The list of people who shouldn’t have guns, in my opinion:
    1. People who are severely mentally ill. Not someone who’s being treated for anxiety or mild depression or getting treatment to help them cope with a tragedy, for example, though the question of whether to take guns from people who may be suicidal is worth asking. I’m mainly concerned in this list with keeping guns away from people who kill other By mentally ill, I’m including the Virginia Tech shooter, the Colorado theater shooter, the Newtown shooter, and the mother in Texas who shot her two daughters to hurt her husband. (Using their names helps no one, and encourages others to commit similar crimes, so I’m not going to do it.) All of these people showed clear signs that they were a threat, and authorities of various sorts were aware of them but did, or could do, nothing.
    2. People with convictions for violent crimes of any kind.
    3. People with restraining orders against them.newtown-victims
    4. People who have publicly threatened to kill anyone, including elected officials. I’m looking at you, Ted Nugent—but also the vast hordes on Twitter and Facebook who plausibly threaten others. This is a complicated one, I freely admit, because of that whole first amendment thing, but I think it’s reasonable to assume that people who proclaim their intent to kill actually mean it, and should be stopped, as far as is possible. Asking people to stop publicly threatening others if they want to keep their guns is hardly a huge burden.
    5. People who have demonstrated that they can’t handle handguns safely, including anyone caught engaging in celebratory gunfire (which has been known to kill people), anyone who’s ever shot themselves “accidentally”—the proper term is “negligently”–anyone who’s ever shot someone else negligently, and anyone who has allowed easy access to their firearms to someone else, resulting in injury. This includes people who allow small children access to their guns, resulting in death and injury.
    6. And there should be a way for people with anger issues and antisocial personality problems (I’m not a professional, so there are probably better terms) to be referred for counseling and evaluation for inclusion on the list. I’m thinking here of people receiving warnings, “counseling,” and possible firing at work for behavioral issues, which can turn into workplace shootings. The man who killed a Virginia newscaster and her cameraman is an example, as well as a plethora of others.
    7. People who violate hunting laws that involve firearms.
    8. What am I missing? Should people with drug convictions be on this list? DUIs? Trespassing and property crimes? Nonviolent hate crimes? What about the guy at work who tells racist or sexist or homophobic jokes? Where should the line be drawn?
  4. It is possible that some of the above people (though by no means all of them) could have their firearms access rights returned after an extensive waiting period, application process, and retraining regimen. And they should be on a 1-strike probationary status permanently. People who make “minor” mistakes could potentially have their firearms rights removed for a year (or some other period), as well.
  5. In order to make this practical, we need a national database to record and track all of these people. There will also need to be an appeal process. Realistically, every process is prone to error, so there should be a way for people to get their weapons and weapons rights back if they were taken unfairly.
  6. Along with this national database, some other new laws should be implemented. According to a study recently published in The Lancet, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01026-0, there are state-level laws that are highly effective in reducing homicides committed with firearms. According to the press release about the study http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/bumc-bsi030916.php (which I’m using because it’s much more clearly phrased): “Laws requiring firearm identification through ballistic imprinting or microstamping were found to reduce the projected mortality risk by 84 percent; ammunition background checks, by 82 percent; and universal background checks for all gun purchases, by 61 percent.” The study also identified several laws that seem to increase homicides with firearms, including the stand-your-ground laws. Some folks will argue that the study is limited, and of course that’s true. Every study is limited. But it’s hard to argue against any of these three laws—and it seems readily apparent that they will help control the flow of guns and ammunition to the people who shouldn’t have them. There simply isn’t a good argument against any of these laws. And of course, stand-your-ground laws should be repealed as well.
  7. There are other possibilities and other ideas that are worth looking into, such as adding education and training requirements for all people who own guns, and possibly licensing as well. But these five changes at the federal level (the database and three laws in #5, plus eliminating stand your ground laws) would make a real difference in reducing firearm-related shootings, and none of them involve taking guns away from stable, law-abiding citizens. So, how about if we start here and see how much progress we can make—and how many lives we can save?

48 Responses to “ Solving the gun problem ”

  1. Roshanna says:

    I do accept as true with all of the concepts you’ve introduced on your post.
    They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the
    posts are too brief for newbies. Could you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

  2. Krissie says:

    Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The
    text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Opera.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to
    do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.

    The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks

  3. Arika says:

    Hi there to every one, it’s in fact a good for me to visit this web page, it includes important Information.

  4. Corinda says:

    It’s going to be finish of mine day, but before
    finish I am reading this wonderful piece of writing to improve my experience.

  5. Thavy says:

    Asking questions are actually pleasant thing if you are not understanding anything entirely, but this paragraph offers pleasant understanding yet.

  6. Alica says:

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a
    writer for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I feel I would be a good
    asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Thanks!

  7. Gema says:

    Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and
    personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from
    this website.

  8. Staphanie says:

    It’s awesome in support of me to have a website,
    which is valuable in support of my knowledge. thanks admin

  9. Mick says:

    Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally
    recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

  10. Katoya says:

    What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and
    it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help
    different users like its aided me. Great job.

  11. Gerald says:

    I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never
    found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth
    enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content
    as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  12. Esiquio says:

    I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
    I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t
    already 😉 Cheers!

  13. Shirelle says:

    I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing?

    I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest blog and
    I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any
    recommendations?

  14. Trudie says:

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked
    submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great
    blog!

  15. Andreas says:

    Hi there I am so glad I found your web site, I really
    found you by accident, while I was researching
    on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now
    and would just like to say thanks for a marvelous post and a
    all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
    have time to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked
    it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read more, Please do keep up the
    great job.

  16. Jessamine says:

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get
    that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.
    I must say you have done a awesome job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome.
    Excellent Blog!

  17. Leela says:

    Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web site, because i want enjoyment, since this this web site conations genuinely good funny stuff too.

  18. Inocencio says:

    Outstanding post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more
    on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could
    elaborate a little bit further. Kudos!

  19. Jennessa says:

    Yes! Finally someone writes about Small Business Advice.

  20. Kelvin says:

    Howdy, There’s no doubt that your site could possibly be having browser compatibility problems.
    When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I simply wanted to provide you with a quick
    heads up! Aside from that, wonderful site!

  21. Jannet says:

    Hi there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and
    personally suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll
    be benefited from this web site.

  22. Tyeisha says:

    We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme
    in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on.
    You’ve done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  23. Jammal says:

    Hi there Dear, are you in fact visiting this site daily, if so afterward you will absolutely get fastidious
    knowledge.

  24. Antonia says:

    Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve
    worked hard on. Any tips?

  25. Shamequa says:

    I visit daily a few web pages and sites to read content, however this webpage presents quality based
    writing.

  26. Dinelle says:

    Excellent way of telling, and pleasant paragraph
    to obtain data concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am
    going to present in academy.

  27. Geniffer says:

    What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious
    knowledge concerning unexpected emotions.

  28. Jeanmarie says:

    I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.

  29. Lateia says:

    Everything is very open with a very clear description of the
    issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful.
    Thanks for sharing!

  30. Takeysha says:

    Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment
    (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new
    to everything. Do you have any tips for inexperienced blog writers?

    I’d really appreciate it.

  31. Leeander says:

    I know this website presents quality based articles and extra data, is there any other web site which
    provides such data in quality?

  32. Yolando says:

    Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative
    in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided
    us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  33. Vandell says:

    You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful sites on the internet. I am going to recommend this site!

  34. Melina says:

    Hello there, There’s no doubt that your web site could
    be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it
    looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent site!

  35. Lovie says:

    Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a information! existing here at
    this web site, thanks admin of this website.

  36. Rosalyn says:

    hello!,I really like your writing so a lot! percentage we communicate more approximately your post
    on AOL? I need an expert on this space to solve my problem.
    May be that is you! Looking ahead to look you.

  37. Yvonne says:

    I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else
    encountering issues with your website. It appears as though
    some of the text on your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else
    please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
    This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Thank you

  38. Sherlene says:

    Thank you for some other wonderful post. The place else may just
    anybody get that type of info in such a perfect approach of writing?
    I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such information.

  39. Tyrone says:

    I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering
    issues with your site. It appears as if some of the text within your
    posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please
    provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This might be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Cheers

  40. Lorenzo says:

    If you desire to increase your knowledge simply keep
    visiting this website and be updated with the most recent news
    posted here.

  41. Izetta says:

    Generally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out
    and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me.
    Thanks, quite nice article.

  42. Kenneth says:

    Thanks for every other excellent post. Where else may
    anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect means of writing?
    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such information.

  43. Madeline says:

    When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her
    mind that how a user can be aware of it. Therefore that’s why this paragraph
    is outstdanding. Thanks!

  44. Jermaine says:

    First off I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question that I’d like
    to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center
    yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing however it
    just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost simply
    just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or
    tips? Thank you!

  45. Elisa says:

    Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with afterward you can write or else it
    is difficult to write.

  46. My family always say that I am wasting my time here at net,
    except I know I am getting know-how daily by reading such good articles.

  47. Isaac says:

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my
    end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly
    appreciated.

  48. Madyson says:

    I got this web site from my pal who informed me concerning this
    web site and now this time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative posts at this place.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *