General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCalifornia 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.htmlShe 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 shooters 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 70s, 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 werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its 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 its 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 learners 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 drivers 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.
Takket
(21,529 posts)Upset with someone? This is how we solve our problems.
aikoaiko
(34,163 posts)Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)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)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)Of course, ask that on even a Democratic board and that's apparently the worst thing since Fascism.
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)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 shouldnt be all this shit to purchase to begin with!
*sigh*
Sancho
(9,067 posts)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)In my experience anyway. Im sure they serve a purpose, but if someone really wants to hurt you, that piece of paper wont stop them. In fact, in my case, the restraining order made it worse.
Anyway, you have some good ideas about licenses, but I just dont have the patience to listen to Not Gun Control arguments.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)inwiththenew
(972 posts)malaise
(268,713 posts)He was not a well person
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)He was a grower and seemed to not like meth cooks
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)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)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.