I dont think the argument should be that criminals can get guns anyhow so lets not bother with trying to fix this. There will always be a way to obtain anything illegally with enough money. This isn’t up for debate.
I’m not saying there are fail safe solution, and we certainly cannot eliminate gun violence, but I do believe we can reduce gun violence.
The nutjobs doing the mass killings are often not criminals, no priors. they are nutjobs who can easily gain access to guns in America, what if it were not so easy? Frankly, Im not so concerned about the criminals shooting each other up. Are there criminals who shoot innocent citizens and can readily obtain guns even with stringent gun laws in place? Sure. But I think what the issue is that we have extremely lax regulation on guns and its easier to buy a gun than do a lot of things in this country.
Im all for the right to bear arms, but what is wrong with imposing a 30 day waiting limit? Might that deter some of the passion / momentary crazy killings out there? What is wrong with asking for a background check? I think its entirely appropriate to compare driving to guns in the context of regulations and national safety. You can’t get your drivers license back if you have too many DUIs, why do we make it so easy to get a gun? Why dont we require gun safety courses, or if you have children under the age of 18, you’re required to purchase a gun lock? We have to pass driving tests to drive, why not have requirements to own a gun? Surely making obtaining guns harder, and educating people who do own guns so their 5 yr old doesn’t accidentally blow his kid sister’s brains out doesn’t seem like a stretch does it?
The stats seem to show in other countries that some level of regulation works.
Also, there are many articles and blogs on this currently, but I agree with other posters, that the other issue that has to be addressed include how we treat mental health issues- or the lack of options for severely disturbed children and people ( varies by state), and 2, how much we overmedicate in this country, startign with children who have sensitive developing brains and chemical makeups, or the failure to properly diagnose children/ or it being easier throw some pills that can make kids and people crazy, suicidal, or murderous.
