I am trying to figure out exactly where I stand with guns. We own a gun, locked in a gun safe, bullets locked separately. We own it to protect life stock. It was incredibly (scary) easy to obtain this gun. It took us 30 minutes or less. We did not have to profess any knowledge of guns, shooting or safety.
The supreme court already settled that we have the right to own guns and I am not afraid that the government will take my gun. I do not and will not ever belong to the NRA. They are inciters of fear for personal gain. I happen to believe that "we the people" i.e us the government will not take our guns.
I would like better gun control, longer waiting periods, better mental health and criminal checks, mandatory education. I understand that it will cut into someone's rights. On the other hand the right to life is more important than someone's hobby.
Mental illness is common and needs treatment. Calling someone names because they have mental health issues drives the ones' in need of help underground. Unfortunately, mental illness is often associated with poverty and medical care provided by the government. Cutting these programs will cause more problems.
I think semi automatic weapons are meant to kill quickly and lots of people. I do believe that a ban on these weapons is appropriate. Maybe if you are a part of a "WELL REGULATED MILITIA" with monthly meetings, mental health checks, training etc these weapons might be okay.
These thought will not make my liberal nor my conservative friends happy ... so maybe I am on the right track.