”Gun Control” is a hot button term that elicits strong negative emotions in some citizens. I propose that there are a number of small steps that can be taken, that do not ban guns outright but could lead to responsible regulation over a period of time. Proponents of gun control should be lobbying for these small steps that will prepare the populace to accept gun regulation in the future.
As a first step we need to establish an office responsible for training and licensing gun owners. Background checks , proof of gun insurance and picture ID, should also be part of the licensing process. Anyone with such a license would be allowed to buy guns privately, at gun shows or stores without a waiting period and gun sellers would not be responsible for providing background checks for these people.
Only after a year or two would every gun carrier be required to get this licence. No gun or ammo could be bought or sold without the license number of a purchaser.
These offices would have to have an up to date data base that records criminal and violent persons who would be disqualified from owning a gun. Red flags (chronic alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, severe depression) from schools, hospitals or family members would require recommendations from professionals to override. Anyone convicted later for violent behavior could lose their gun license as part of the sentencing.
These offices should not overburden overworked police departments or regional Homeland Security. What branch of government could be most easily utilized to carry out gun registry and owner licensing? One option stands out as economical and already organized to the task and that’s the National Guard.
The second amendment refers to the need for a well regulated local militia. The National Guard is already organized to do this type of training. They could they be utilized in some way to regulate and train gun owners on the local level. Trained professionals, gun ranges, weapons storage, nationwide data access, the National Guard has it all. Just like the DMV which tests and licenses car owners, making sure of insurance and clean records before issuance, the Dept of Arms Regulation could do the same for gun owners.
This modest proposal is just to start the conversation. I encourage discussion of other solutions. We must start with small digestible steps, steps that are reasonable and sustainable….
Except we really must ban the AK 45’s and AK15’s tomorrow.
