Here, in the United States of America, we have the right to bear arms. We also have the right to own a motor vehicle. Each year, thousands of people are killed by both, by accident and on purpose. Obviously vehicles kill more people; however, many more people use and own them than own guns. Still not a fair comparison, as far more people die in car crashes than by guns. However, there has recently been a debate between some people over whether or not we should change the laws that we have regarding who can and can’t buy guns, and what should be required of someone for them to be able to buy a gun. Some people say more laws, others say that more legislation would infringe on our right to buy and use these weapons. There are arguments for both sides, but what really gets me going is when people make false equivalencies between two totally different things, like cars and guns.

Just recently, on July 15, in Nice, France, 77 people were killed by a man in a truck. This is a truly reprehensible act and my condolences to the families of those killed. Some individuals, mostly conservative, quickly used this as an example of why it doesn't matter what we do with guns when a man in a truck can do so much. “So, are we gonna ban trucks now?” is the outcry. No, sir, we are not. However, we are going to put laws into effect that require people to take courses on using motor vehicles and display aptitude in their operation. In Massachusetts, it is required that the student acquire 40 hours driving experience with a licensed driver, 30 hours with an instructor and 30 hours of class time with tests that must be passed to proceed. Once that is done, the student must then take a comprehensive driving exam showing how to properly maneuver and manipulate the vehicle. That doesn’t finish it off either. The car must be inspected annually, or it will be taken off the road. There are police officers continually patrolling the roadways to help prevent people from misusing their cars, and to help those with issues. Remember, this is for automobiles. Something not designed to take life. Let's compare that to guns. In MA, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, you must be 15 to own a gun (gift), 18 to buy a shotgun or a rifle and 21 to buy a pistol and conceal carry it. Not bad. The ages are old enough, but I think 15 is still a little young to be owning a gun. Shooting at that age, go for it. But you can use your mom's gun; you don’t need your own.

On to the laws in place for purchasing these weapons, more specifically, to acquire a Firearms ID. It is required that you take a four-hour gun safety course, demonstrating the loading and unloading procedure for the firearm and taking a written exam on their proper use. Now, given that at 18 years old all you can buy is a shotgun or a rifle, one would think that you would have to know how to load and unload at least one of those two weapons. You would be incorrect. When I took my exam, I had to show that I could load an unload a .44 revolver. Sit on that a minute. That is like learning how to ride a motorcycle to drive a truck. Very little correlation between the two. Also, I did not have to show competency with the weapon in actually firing the weapon. Let's put that into context. The car, something designed to transport humans safely from place to place, requires a combined 60 hours of training with an instructor, 40 with a licensed driver and a six-month waiting period after acquiring your permit. For a rifle, which is designed to take life, you have to show how to load fake bullets into a revolver and never actually show that you know how to use one. There's also no waiting period. I went and received my paper FID that day. This to me is ridiculous.

The double standard between cars and guns is absurd, and the concept that increasing the training needed to be licensed would infringe on your rights is crazy. Any responsible gun owner should be able to see how lax the laws regarding firearms training are. To buy a gun, one should have to show that they know how to load, fire and unload the weapon, as well as how to properly lock the weapon away with a trigger/slide lock or a gun safe. That, I don’t think, is too absurd of an idea. This could help prevent the dozens and dozens of accidental deaths that happen every year from people misusing guns. It’s not perfect, but it would be a start.