I know it can be an exhaustive exercise but this ‘hot button’ topic needs to be addressed lest we keep chasing our tail after each “mass” shooting. Let’s start with The Constitution.
Some argue the 2nd Amendment allows us to own guns. I would argue it’s the other way around. There existed a proliferation of guns in the 1700s. Had the founding fathers tried to take them away there would’ve been a revolt. Let us not forget who we are. We are essentially a nation of terrorists. We revolted against oppression by the English crown. So personal liberties are in our DNA. Unlike Canada which remained subject to the crown and consequently, its citizens have fewer personal liberties than us.
I would also argue all other amendments owe their existence to the 2nd Amendment. Freedom of Speech could be suppressed. Suffrage could be compromised. And so every personal liberty tracks back to gun ownership. Without the right to bear arms we are at risk of losing everything that makes America unique. But why do we need to own guns. Because if there’s one constant in the human existence it’s that power corrupts. If you’ve ever worked for somebody then you’ve experienced abuse-of-power in one way, shape or form. And undoubtedly it pissed you off.
That said, what can be done at the public policy level to mitigate “mass” shootings. Let us start with the background check. My understanding is whenever you apply for a gun your personal information is bounced up against the FBI criminal database. If no felonies then you get your gun. Moreover (and this is a point of contention), the FBI has 24 hours to expunge the record of gun application. It cannot ‘store’ it. Meaning, there is no central registrar/repository of who owns guns by serial number (unless the gun was used in a crime). Dealers keep records but it’s not centralized. So what should be changed? If we expand background checks to include the mentally ill then we run-up against HIPAA laws. In Cruz’s case he was a minor. Some say we should block minors. Okay, so we can send a minor off to fight a war (i.e., to do our bidding) but we won’t let him to own a gun!
In closing and as another poster said (I paraphrase), guns have been around forever but not “mass” shootings so what has changed. IMHO that is where our focus should be. But stop projecting the animus on: 1) an inanimate object and 2) the majority of gun owners who’ve done nothing wrong. If all you’ve got to offer is denigration and name-calling then perhaps you should emigrate to a place where you needn’t carry the onerous weight of liberty. There are plenty of countries from which to choose.
I thank you and have a blessed day.
Some argue the 2nd Amendment allows us to own guns. I would argue it’s the other way around. There existed a proliferation of guns in the 1700s. Had the founding fathers tried to take them away there would’ve been a revolt. Let us not forget who we are. We are essentially a nation of terrorists. We revolted against oppression by the English crown. So personal liberties are in our DNA. Unlike Canada which remained subject to the crown and consequently, its citizens have fewer personal liberties than us.
I would also argue all other amendments owe their existence to the 2nd Amendment. Freedom of Speech could be suppressed. Suffrage could be compromised. And so every personal liberty tracks back to gun ownership. Without the right to bear arms we are at risk of losing everything that makes America unique. But why do we need to own guns. Because if there’s one constant in the human existence it’s that power corrupts. If you’ve ever worked for somebody then you’ve experienced abuse-of-power in one way, shape or form. And undoubtedly it pissed you off.
That said, what can be done at the public policy level to mitigate “mass” shootings. Let us start with the background check. My understanding is whenever you apply for a gun your personal information is bounced up against the FBI criminal database. If no felonies then you get your gun. Moreover (and this is a point of contention), the FBI has 24 hours to expunge the record of gun application. It cannot ‘store’ it. Meaning, there is no central registrar/repository of who owns guns by serial number (unless the gun was used in a crime). Dealers keep records but it’s not centralized. So what should be changed? If we expand background checks to include the mentally ill then we run-up against HIPAA laws. In Cruz’s case he was a minor. Some say we should block minors. Okay, so we can send a minor off to fight a war (i.e., to do our bidding) but we won’t let him to own a gun!
In closing and as another poster said (I paraphrase), guns have been around forever but not “mass” shootings so what has changed. IMHO that is where our focus should be. But stop projecting the animus on: 1) an inanimate object and 2) the majority of gun owners who’ve done nothing wrong. If all you’ve got to offer is denigration and name-calling then perhaps you should emigrate to a place where you needn’t carry the onerous weight of liberty. There are plenty of countries from which to choose.
I thank you and have a blessed day.
