As we all know, an Oregon Community College came under fire on Thursday this week, leading to the deaths of ten and the injuring of nine others. These tragedies have become all but common in this nation. Once again, some people use this tragedy to immediatly call for the banning of firearms. To those people, I am deeply disappointed. Turning this crisis and the larger issue at hand into a heavily political debate isn't something that's needed at this time. However, since it is already done, I am obliged (I feel) to include myself in the debate as someone who considers himself person who likes firearms. Before I continue onward, this article is going to go heavily into firearms. If you do not want to read about firearms, skip this and go elsewhere. You have been warned.
Firearms and America
Most people would agree that firearms and the United States are married as concepts. The US was founded on these principals, to a degree, and it has become part of the general American psyche. While the rest of the Western world tends to frown on this, we tend to stand out proudly, rifle in hand. Well, at least some Americans do.
Shootings have gone up within the past decade, and there's no clear reason as to why. Some take to blaming mental illness, some take to blaming antidepressants (to the point that if you've taken them and apply for a license in NY State, you will not be granted said license), and some take to blaming the lax gun laws that our nation holds. I think the blame lies on all three to some degree.
The point of this article isn't to divulge into the causes, but the point is to give my point of view of a good plan to limit the deaths caused by firearms in the United States. We will never see gun deaths totally wiped out, as we are human, but we can take steps as a society to limit these deaths pretty well.
1. Amend The Constitution (Optional/Include Provisions to Enforce 2)
By literal terms, the State may not infringe on the right to own a firearm. Now, to some people, the definition and interpretation is up for grabs, but changing it to allow a degree of sway, and to ensure that a full on ban can never occur, can't hurt. My proposition for such an edit would be along the lines with affirming the right of the individual states, and take the issue clean out of federal hands. In any event, firearms cannot be banned completely. It is part of the people, and if it were to be a total blanket ban, a revolution would be likely. It's about finding the happy medium. The happy medium comes next.
2. Federal restrictions on those with mental illness, drug issues, felonies, and ill intent.
The shooting in Oregon clearly shows how easy it is for someone with a mental illness to acquire a firearm legally, through an FFL dealer. While requiring a mental illness examination or a background check will never weed out 100% of shooters, the gesture will decrease the amount of shootings over time. The law would also have to apply to seizing firearms owned by people who do have mental illnesses, which can present a problem all on their own. The law, I would recommend, would have to be focused on people acquiring firearms after the date. Putting the restriction on ammunition would also be a good step.
Amending the Constitution does play into this part. Allowing these checks to be performed needs to happen, and having the Constitutional power to do so only makes it stronger. I would only have an issue with the Government calling people falsely "mentally ill" in order to restrict firearm owners. However, I feel that would be unlikely.
3. Educating people on being respectful to firearms, as well as teaching safety and responsibility to young students.
I was taught how to safely use a firearm from a young age, as well as taught that it's not a toy. A firearm to me is a tool, a defensive weapon, and a last resort. This is how it should be for all. A lot of children are exposed to firearms as toys and as parts of games. Now, this isn't necessarily bad in regards to video games, it does leave for a possibility to give the impression that firearms are toys. The solution, at least in my mind, are programs (through television, school, and the internet) that are geared to being respectful of the power that a firearm carries.
To bring it back to my personal experience, my parents taught me that you never point a firearm, loaded or unloaded, at anyone unless you truly mean to kill them, or want them dead. From a young age, this instilled a respect within me to not use that firearm as a threat, but to respect the responsibility that comes with using said firearm. Am I a bit biased? Of course. Do I think all youths in America should be taught this at a young age? Not a young age. We have health class, it could become part of that. It could become a half a year class, or it could just become something you see on television or are required to take at school in an online course.
Many people who this article will reach will view me as insane, cruel, or out of touch. Likewise, many of my more conservative friends and family will see this as hearsay or infringement of rights. I can respect both feelings. This, however, is a middle group opinion; to practice the American democracy that we're supposed to practice, we must compromise. While both sides can be uncompromising, I can at least hope that we find a solution one day. I just happen to have my own solution in mind.
