Common Sense

Apropos of nothing, what if we did the following on guns:

Create three categories of gun ownership: protection, sports and collecting.

Each have different requirements, costs and limits. For protection an individual may own two firearms at a time. For sports, five firearms. For collecting, it depends on the collection.

In every category, federal law would require mandatory gun training. Mandatory waiting periods for purchasing. Complete background check, including for mental health concerns. No one under age 18 may own a firearm. Federal gun registry. Sales only possible at regulated store sites; no gun show sales. Some firearms would require additional training or certification. Ex-felons may only own firearms in states in which they may also vote. Etc.

The costs and safety rules for collectors would be very expensive.

When enacted, anyone with more than five firearms becomes a collector under the law. If they can afford to pay for all of the safety stuff they need, they may do so. If they cannot afford to do so, the government will subsidize some or all of the necessary equipment, providing the collector completes the necessary certifications. In some few cases, there may be exceptions.

The federal government will also offer a buy-back program for those who can show proof of ownership of a firearm, at 200% market rate. This rate is good for any firearm, and any number of firearms. (An amnesty period will allow large collectors to decide whether to sell or invest in their collection.)

Now, I know this ain’t happening. I’m not saying it will or even could happen in the U.S. It can’t, not as I’ve described it. I’m just saying it seems like common sense.

We’re less likely to alter the Second Amendment than we are to make common sense, serious gun laws nationwide, but we’re also not going to do that. That’s just who we are.

No, really—if you’re an American and you don’t understand in your bones that we are a violent, warmongering people, I’m not sure you really are an American.

Some will say No, not me! never. I am for peace, even if our leaders cry war. Oh, rly? Can you be? Does it mean anything to be for peace?

Anyway. I know lots of people who would love to get rid of guns. That’s fantasy. We have to accept them as a part of our culture, but we do not have to pretend helplessness when it comes to regulation. If we want to change the gun culture—we have to change the gun culture.

And I’m not talking about policing how children play, or whether video games make them violent, or what movies they watch or what’s on YouTube…

I’m talking we have to show them that we take this seriously. That we understand the seriousness of it.

We have to show them that being a Man has even more to do with peacefulness than violence. That we are all connected in a web of shared humanity. That a gun doesn’t make you strong or brave.

But nevermind, we ain’t doing any of that shit either.