Guns, Gun Control, and Common Sense

There are few issues in the U.S. that create stronger feelings than gun control. In my rural community, our Constitutional Right to Bear Arms is proudly displayed in homes and pickups (especially during huntin' season), and the idea of gun control is widely considered to be the brain-child of wild-eyed liberals and commies. However, incidents such as the one involving the idiot that was emptying shell casings with a hammer, and the recent massacre at Virginia Tech got me to thinking - maybe it's not such a bad idea.

In this country it takes more effort and hassle to get a driver's license than to buy a gun. For example, to get my drivers license I had to take a vision test, written test, and driving test, as well as get fingerprinted and photographed, yet pretty much anyone can walk into the local super discount store and buy a deadly weapon provided they are of age and can pass the instant background check. And we know how well the background check system worked in the case of the Virginia Tech gunman. It didn't work at all.

Now, I'm not saying that I think complete gun control is the way to go. On the contrary, I fully agree with the guy that said "If you make owning a gun a crime, only criminals will have guns." It seems extremely unfortunate to me that the only people that seem to be discussing the issue are those who have taken up the banner, dug in, and fortified their position on one of two extreme views: (1) Ban All Firearms Effective Yesterday, or (2) You'll Take My Gun When You Pry It Out of My Cold, Dead Hands. But couldn't we mix guns, gun control, and common sense?

I think there has to be a middle ground here somewhere. Why couldn't we require gun safety classes and testing for all new gun owners, just like the driving classes required in my state for people to get their first driver's license? I realize that this wouldn't prevent criminals from having and using guns, but the rest of us would feel safer knowing that everyone that has a legal weapon knows it's a weapon and not something to play with.

One other thing. I do firmly believe that there is absolutely no reason that ANYONE outside of law enforcement and the military needs a fully automatic weapon. Period. There is only one use for this kind of weapon, and that use is not crime deterrence or personal protection: it is used for killing people. A while ago I read a statement from a anti-gun control activist that he needed his assault weapon for hunting. Excuse me? There is only one reason for hunting in my book: food. Who is going to want to eat something that you filled full of lead? Furthermore, if you need more than a couple shots to bring down even a large animal such as elk you should probably rack the gun and take up bowling.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the only people talking (shouting actually) about gun control are those that are strongly for or against it. This means nothing gets done. I propose to let common sense into the mix, and stir well. Here's hoping.