Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Sancho

(9,067 posts)
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 08:12 AM Nov 2017

California gunman had been feuding with neighbors, mother says

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/15/california-gunmans-mother-says-was-frustrated-by-ongoing-feud-with-neighbors.html

In a phone interview with the Associated Press, the woman, who identified herself only as Annie, revealed that her son had been feeling frustrated by an ongoing feud with his neighbors.

She said her son sounded desperate over his relationship with his neighbors, who he said were cooking meth and creating fumes that were harming his nine dogs.

She said that her son was charged with the assault and that he told her he had grabbed a steak knife out of the hand of the neighbor, who was threatening him with it. The neighbor was slightly injured, the mother said.

Police were also called to the shooter’s home a day before the shootings on a domestic violence call but no other details on the matter were available.


Here we go again....

People Control, Not Gun Control

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
California gunman had been feuding with neighbors, mother says (Original Post) Sancho Nov 2017 OP
K&R SHRED Nov 2017 #1
Whelp. This is how we solve our problems now Takket Nov 2017 #2
Its hard to imagine why your list isn't Federal law aleady. aikoaiko Nov 2017 #3
Is a pot farmer likely to be allowed to own a gun? Not Ruth Nov 2017 #4
I want both. MrsCoffee Nov 2017 #5
No one does need an arsenal; there should be a red flag if one is built in a short amount of time. HughBeaumont Nov 2017 #6
Its mind boggling. MrsCoffee Nov 2017 #8
NPR just reported that he killed his neighbor who had a restraining order against him. Sancho Nov 2017 #9
Restraining orders are almost useless too. MrsCoffee Nov 2017 #11
Rand Paul? Drunken Irishman Nov 2017 #7
So was he high on meth/something else or just crazier than a sh*thouse rat? inwiththenew Nov 2017 #10
I saw a pic of him malaise Nov 2017 #12
Marijuana probably Not Ruth Nov 2017 #15
Let me simplify this for you. MyNameGoesHere Nov 2017 #13
I agree that much current gun possession should be illegal... Sancho Nov 2017 #14

Takket

(21,529 posts)
2. Whelp. This is how we solve our problems now
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 08:44 AM
Nov 2017

Upset with someone? This is how we solve our problems.

 

Not Ruth

(3,613 posts)
4. Is a pot farmer likely to be allowed to own a gun?
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 09:39 AM
Nov 2017

Smoking pot is a non starter, and the likelihood of growing, but never having smoked it slim to none.

The irony of the pot farmer feuding with the meth cooks, and it is the pot farmer that goes on a murder spree. Crazy.

MrsCoffee

(5,801 posts)
5. I want both.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 09:45 AM
Nov 2017

GUNS ARE A FUCKING PROBLEM.

A license is great and all, but the NRA must be stopped and gun control laws must be passed. And we need a better medical care system so mental health is addressed.

No one needs a fucking arsenal in their home. No one needs bump stocks and silencers and semi auto weapons. I am sick to death of this shit.

HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)
6. No one does need an arsenal; there should be a red flag if one is built in a short amount of time.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 09:52 AM
Nov 2017

Of course, ask that on even a Democratic board and that's apparently the worst thing since Fascism.

MrsCoffee

(5,801 posts)
8. Its mind boggling.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 09:58 AM
Nov 2017

How many more children need to get blown away at school before we can do anything about it? How many worshippers in church?

Apparently the answer to all this is we need more fucking guns. Arm the teachers, arm the clergies.

But yeah, tracking purchases amounts to fascism.

There shouldn’t be all this shit to purchase to begin with!

*sigh*

Sancho

(9,067 posts)
9. NPR just reported that he killed his neighbor who had a restraining order against him.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 10:07 AM
Nov 2017

I agree that there should be restrictions on guns - which could also be part of the license. You'd need a license for a particular purpose like hunting or protection or whatever. You would not be able to possess a gun except for a licensed use.

In this case the police had several run ins with the guy, but they can't really do anything.

It's out of control for sure.

MrsCoffee

(5,801 posts)
11. Restraining orders are almost useless too.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 10:16 AM
Nov 2017

In my experience anyway. I’m sure they serve a purpose, but if someone really wants to hurt you, that piece of paper won’t stop them. In fact, in my case, the restraining order made it worse.

Anyway, you have some good ideas about licenses, but I just don’t have the patience to listen to “Not Gun Control” arguments.

 

MyNameGoesHere

(7,638 posts)
13. Let me simplify this for you.
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 10:45 AM
Nov 2017

Tax gun and bullet manufacturers that sell weapons and ammo in the USA at 75% and set up a fund to pay victims and families for when one of their disciples go off the rails. Which will happen because a gunzer always finds a loophole. All that other stuff is fine but it don't help the dead people or their families that will be murdered until gun possession and ownership is criminalized. Yes I want to take your gunz. I'm not the least shy about it.

Sancho

(9,067 posts)
14. I agree that much current gun possession should be illegal...
Wed Nov 15, 2017, 10:55 AM
Nov 2017

and all gun users should be required to have insurance that pays victims.

Unless you have a legitimate reason for a gun, proper training and storage, and appropriate background checks - then you should not be able to buy a gun, transport a gun, buy ammunition, or participate in shooting guns.

The vast majority of guns should be taken away right now.



Latest Discussions»General Discussion»California gunman had bee...