Facts About Guns

It is time to clear the air when it comes to discussing guns in America.  To start, there is nothing proposed nor has there been any legislation or conversation regarding confiscating guns.  The President has said on a number of occasions that he respects the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to possess firearms.  The ban on military-style or military weapons does not infringe upon that right nor does the ban on high capacity magazines infringe upon the “right to bear arms.”  Courts have decided that the government has the right to prevent ownership and distribution of some weapons such as fully automatic firearms.  To prevent anyone from securing a 40mm automatic on the bed of a Toyota pickup truck and driving down the street can be legally prohibited.  When it comes to “assault” rifles and high-capacity magazines, these items have already been banned and legislation to accomplish this was signed into law by Ronald Reagan, a Conservative Republican.  What does not make sense is the reality that the NRA has managed to prevent people on a no-fly list, potential terrorists, from failing background checks.  The NRA has stood in the way of enforcement of “laws presently on the books” while calling for more enforcement of these laws.  The NRA presents background checks at gun shows resulting in over 40% of gun sales going unchecked.  The NRA has also stood in the way of preventing “straw” purchasing which is used by felons and gun runners to get around background checks.  The NRA has also acted to block record keeping of gun sales thus making it easier for the sale of multiple weapons to criminal elements.  Finally, NRA members of Congress have blocked the appointment of a head of the agency responsible for enforcing federal gun laws presently on the books, blocked funding for personnel at the agency thus standing in the way of enforcing laws presently on the books, and even prevented the agency from auditing the books of gun sellers which again prevents the enforcement of laws on the books.  Since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, over 900 Americans have been killed by the use of guns.  There is no logical reason the control of gun ownership should be strengthened.  It is a requirement to register cars, trucks, boats, and airplanes.  A license is required to operate cars, trucks, motorcycles, planes, and other vehicles.  A license is required to cut hair, give manicures, practice law, and virtually any other profession.  Gun ownership and gun possession should require a license.  Anyone wishing to own, possess, or carry a firearm should have to demonstrate both physical ability and mental ability to prove responsibility to own a weapon that has but one purpose, kill, wound, or maim.   Perhaps the Second Amendments needs to be amended to say that all citizens have the right to RESPONSIBILY bear arms.