What is the goal:
- To reduce gun homicides in the USA
What is not part of the goal:
- Gun suicides (gun suicides account for about two thirds of all gun deaths in the USA)
- Unintentional gun deaths (a small proportion of total gun deaths)
- Gun deaths from undetermined causes (a small proportion of total gun deaths)
- Justifiable gun homicides
Even though gun suicides make up the majority of gun deaths each year - when compared to other countries, it appears people in other countries where guns are not as available find another way to commit suicide. The overall rate of suicide across countries is about the same.
The basics
Laws have to be enforced
- It is pointless passing news laws and regulations if laws and regulations are not enforced.
Governments must do their job
- Government departments and agencies at all levels (local, state, federal) have to do their job and be held accountable if they do not.
Life is more precious then some civil liberties
- Privacy laws like HIPPA that stand in the way of the transparency necessary to identify and treat threats need to be relaxed.
- Family & Friends need to be able to commit individuals they believe are a threat (this would help drug addicts as well) and medical professionals need to be allowed an extended period of time to properly evaluate the individuals. The individual saying they are no longer threatening themselves or others is not a good enough reason to release the individual.
Drug companies need to be held to account
- There are some drugs - either while they are being taken or once they stop being taken - increase violent and suicidal tendencies. Patients should not be allowed to possess guns while they are taking these drugs and for a specified period after they stop taking the drugs. The patients agreement to this should be a condition of prescription.
There is a second amendment to constitution
It seems unlikely the constitution could be changed to remove the second amendment, so any changes must fall within what the Supreme Court would regard as "reasonable restrictions".
Changes must apply to existing guns owned - not just new gun sales
There are 300 million guns in the USA today - they cannot be quarantined off from any changes
Suggested changes
Background Checks
- Pass the bi-partisan Fix NICS act that is sitting in the Senate and is supported by the NRA
- Doctors who prescribe drugs that increase violent or suicidal tendancies either while the drugs are being taken or when the patient is taken off the drug must add that information to the background check database.
- Drug Addicts must be added to the background check database because often the illegal drugs they buy are spiked with other drugs/substances that can cause violent actions.
- People expelled or suspended from schools or colleges must be added to the background check database and blocked from owning guns for a period of 5 years after they leave that school/college.
- People who police are called on more then once in the past 12 months should be added to the background check database.
Gun ownership requirements
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must pass background check every 3 years
- Must be licensed
- Guns must be stored in gun safe when not being used
Schools
Parklands Fl had 3,000 kids and 1 armed officer. That is the size of a small town and needs better protection. Here are a few ideas that might make a shooter think twice without increasing costs alot:
- Police patrols to do a walk through the school a few times a day just like they would a downtown area
- Base an officer at the school where he could do paperwork etc when he is not called out on other duties
Conclusion
As important as the suggested changes are the enforcement of laws and the government doing its job. In Parklands Fl for example:
- FBI ignored to tips - one very specific
- Police called to shooter house 30 times in prior years - this should prompt action and addition to background check database
- School expelled shooter - again should be added to background check
- Shooter had taken prescribed drugs - needs to be a waiting period after people come off certain drugs
Some states have laws preventing people owning guns, but have a very very small force to collect them or make sure they are turned in.
I hope this is a positive contribution to the gun discussion.
What do you think?