Private Gun Ownership - Good or Bad?

[peacetraveler22]

Last week, we had another mass shooting in America. A young college student deeply rooted in misogynist mentality, and frustrated by female rejection, decided to take a drive through a California college town and open fire, killing six people and wounding numerous others. As you know, guns are deeply rooted in American culture, and always have been. So why the recent proliferation of school and mass shootings over the last few years? I think in large part these tragedies are not a result of guns, but the sickness of society in general. After all, Americans have always been armed but the proliferation of mass shootings has been rather recent. Twenty years ago, or even ten, we didn't hear about such tragedies on a consistent basis.

People sometimes forget that the right to bear arms is expressly enumerated in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Private gun ownership is a principle upon which my country was founded. We are the most heavily armed civilian population in the world, with close to 300 million firearms in the hands of civilians, including my family members. I am completely pro gun, and have always been surrounded by firearms. I shoot Rifles, a 9mm glock and .357 Magnum Revolver at the range under the supervision of my father. So, where is the delicate balance between respecting the Constitutional rights of U.S. citizens and preventing mass shootings?

I can't say there are any easy answers, nor do I know the best solution. For instance, in the most recent shooting, the culprit had a long history of mental illness. Police officers had even visited his house after worried calls from State mental health officials. Yet when they arrived, the shooter was completely calm and convincing. Thus, they had no legal grounds upon which to enter the home and search. If they had entered his room, they would have found his guns, his detailed plans for the massacre which he had been cooking for over a year, and other clear signs that something sinister was brewing.

People all over the globe are suffering from depression and other forms of mental illness, and they should not be under constant suspicion for seeking treatment. One simple way to mitigate widespread gun violence is to have tighter and consistent controls. Currently, gun laws drastically vary from State to State, and I don't claim to be an expert in nationwide legislation. Such knowledge is almost impossible. California is known as the strictest State, and Texas and my home State of Virginia are considered two of the most pro-gun locations in the nation. This is not surprising given that the National Rifle Association is headquartered only a 1/2 hour from my apartment. In Virginia, private citizens can openly carry firearms and I've seen it in restaurants, particularly in rural areas. Is it necessary? I don't think so. Only Washington, DC and Hawaii require all firearms to be registered.

Our founding Fathers made certain that private gun ownership will never completely become extinct in America, but this doesn't mean that laws shouldn't be changed. Some of the most strongly advocated solutions include:

(1) Background checks for all firearm owners
(2) Waiting period
(3) Registration of ALL firearms in every State
(4) For schools - allow teachers to carry firearms into the classroom and train them on use

What do you think? Do you wish Russia had more lenient laws for private gun ownership? What should America do to prevent these tragedies? I sometimes wonder if it's really possible to truly prevent a deranged person from committing these acts of violence. Even if tighter gun controls exist, they would likely still be able to obtain firearms on the black market. In the end, we cannot mandate good and evil, though an attempt should at least be made to control evil to the greatest extent possible.

Comments

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Many things cause people to die - cigarettes, over consumption of vodka, cars driven by drunkards, fatty foods. The problem is people, not the objects themselves. So, the answer IMHO is to better control and track who owns weapons. Just like we attempt to control who can buy cigarettes and alcohol by setting age limits on purchase. But, I don't think many foreigners really understand gun culture in America.

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

You only confirm my words: People are not willing to part with their toys. These words about vodka, cigarettes and accidents are excuses. Meritorious deeds do not need excuses.

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

On this topic I argee with Andrey.

Moreover... we, as adults, forbid children to have certain things or do certain things.
But we make a mistake thinking that all adults are equally reasonable and all can do whatever they want.
This ladder of evolution does not end with the mental state of a common adult.
We see that many people have bad habits and lack of control and their consciousness is not developed well.

So it's the duty of the society to take vodka, cigarettes, guns, fatty food and other dangerous objects off them.
The volume of rights a person have should correspond with the volume of duties and one should prove their normality first to be given certain rights and duties.

In a brochure I was given to prepare for driving exams in Washington State (which I finally decided not to do) on the very first page there was a sentence, like:
"Driving is not a RIGHT but a privilege".

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't believe mass society should be punished based on the irresponsible or criminal nature of the minority. And, in fact, driving is a right for anyone over 16 in America. However, this right can be revoked in the event of criminal activity or disobedience of laws. So, those who are imbeciles and can't make responsible decisions or behave in accordance with the law are punished in most cases. As it should be. The rest of us go about life as normal.

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

My thought was that "responsible nature" is a rare thing :)
For example, you drink alcohol while it is well known now that is it not good for health.
Some people smoke. I am on Internet too much, more than I should be.

Too many people have psychological traumas and are responsible day-to-day but can go mad in certain circumstances of it certain themes are mentioned :)

Fully responsible people should not be greedy, lazy or addicted to certain things.
If people were fully responsible we would instantly have communism without any fight because they would immediately understand: "Yes! It should be done this way to benefit all people and the environment."

Buddists say that the only source of problems is ignorance and all people are more or less ignorant.
It's better to be less ignorant :))

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

I did not know that you are a supporter of the of the abolition of speed limits in the traffic rules and screening at airports. After all, this is the case "mass society should be punished based on the irresponsible or criminal nature of the minority" 8)

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I mentioned in the post that I'm for tighter controls and background checks for gun owners, and these measures are equivalent to traffic rules and airport screening. :)

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

I am also a supporter of screening at airports, with careful selection of personnel. Theoretically, the inspection can give pleasure.

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I look forward to these airport screenings. It's the only time I get felt up. :))

Re: Our founding Fathers made... (с)

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

I got the best inspection in Germany. I forgot to remove the belt and the officer touched me very carefully. The vaunted German quality! I'm sure this person is an expert in Thai massage.