I've done lots of thinking and discussing on this. Coming back to the Second Amendment,it speaks of "A well regulated militia". In my opinion a reasonable solution would be to put equiptment such as semi-automatic weapons, high capacity magazines, body armor, etc. in a special category. In order to legally posses these items you must be a member of your local militia, basically a gun club organized to teach proper weapons handling and safety. Membership is renewed annually. Anyone who is reported as being a danger to themselves and others has their membership suspended until given a clean bill of health. Militias would be NGOs probably run out of gun shops, the NRA or community organizations. Ownership of handguns and hunting gear would continue as is. Yes, tragedies happen. Perhaps encouraging all gun owners to pin the militia would increase firearm education and reduce these. Militias could offer free "drills" to increase members skill sets.
chickaree wrote: I've done lots of thinking and discussing on this. Coming back to the Second Amendment,it speaks of "A well regulated militia". In my opinion a reasonable solution would be to put equiptment such as semi-automatic weapons, high capacity magazines, body armor, etc. in a special category. In order to legally posses these items you must be a member of your local militia, basically a gun club organized to teach proper weapons handling and safety. Membership is renewed annually. Anyone who is reported as being a danger to themselves and others has their membership suspended until given a clean bill of health. Militias would be NGOs probably run out of gun shops, the NRA or community organizations. Ownership of handguns and hunting gear would continue as is. Yes, tragedies happen. Perhaps encouraging all gun owners to pin the militia would increase firearm education and reduce these. Militias could offer free "drills" to increase members skill sets.
Seems reasonable to me. These trained individuals could also be valuable as teachers or in other occupations where the most defenseless need an extra layer of protection.
The left is angry because they are now being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
As much as I dislike our Sheriff Joe Arpaio.....he has done some things very right here in AZ. We have a Sheriff's Posse.....all volunteer law enforcement officers. They are trained like police officers, they have weapons training, and they use regulation sheriff's vehicles. You will find them patrolling neighborhoods, schools, local events, they do well checks on individuals, will check homes when people are on vacation....all those things that our police force does not have time or man power to do effectively. Not so different from a volunteer fire department. Why not, if people want to own and train with assault type weapons, have an all volunteer force that can not only give back to the community but provide for it's safety? There is no shortage of people wanting to be part of the Sheriff's Posse here.....
edited to add......all Posse members must pass a background check and are evaluated during training. I really have not heard of many, if any, issues with them exceeding authority. If they encounter a crime/criminal they will call for police backup, or if necessary/possible detain and wait for a regular law enforcement officer.
FredHayek wrote: Background checks for all purchases makes the most sense to me.
Agreed, although I would prefer that information not be kept or made public. I wouldn't want some newspaper or TV "News" show publishing the names and addresses of legal firearm owners. I would also like to find someway to encourage firearm education. It drives me crazy to see a picture of someone holding a firearm with their finger on the trigger, when they are in no position to fire a shot. One more thing, penalties should be drastically increased when a firearm is used in the commission of a crime.
FredHayek wrote: Background checks for all purchases makes the most sense to me.
Agreed, although I would prefer that information not be kept or made public. I wouldn't want some newspaper or TV "News" show publishing the names and addresses of legal firearm owners. I would also like to find someway to encourage firearm education. It drives me crazy to see a picture of someone holding a firearm with their finger on the trigger, when they are in no position to fire a shot. One more thing, penalties should be drastically increased when a firearm is used in the commission of a crime.
agree. have no problem with background checks for all but most important is to make sure that those who commit a crime with a weapon are punished at the heaviest penalty. There is a law change I can get behind.
FredHayek wrote: Background checks for all purchases makes the most sense to me.
Agreed, although I would prefer that information not be kept or made public. I wouldn't want some newspaper or TV "News" show publishing the names and addresses of legal firearm owners. I would also like to find someway to encourage firearm education. It drives me crazy to see a picture of someone holding a firearm with their finger on the trigger, when they are in no position to fire a shot. One more thing, penalties should be drastically increased when a firearm is used in the commission of a crime.
agree. have no problem with background checks for all but most important is to make sure that those who commit a crime with a weapon are punished at the heaviest penalty. There is a law change I can get behind.
I agree, make it like a DUI only you get one strike and it's jail time with permanent loss of gun rights. However, this wouldn't have done anything to prevent the big massacres.
The left is angry because they are now being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
I would also be willing to see training required to pass a background check. You have to have training to carry concealed or hunt in Colorado. Maybe grandfather it to those born after 1982.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.