I have become inured to the stupidity of the public at large, and no longer hold out any hope for our future. My realization all began when Bush was elected to a second term, and I’ve become more and more disenfranchised.
I have a cousin who posts memes about “Gun control and the confiscation of guns caused 56 million deaths” (referencing dictatorial regimes that have enacted forms of genocide – I won’t go in to the screamingly frustrating discussion with his gun-totin’ buddies about democracy and rule of law) and he and his buddies won’t even concede that if you’re going to talk about trying to prevent mass shootings and criminal acts performed with guns that you at least need to include in your discussion the possibility of common sense legislation to screen and control who gets to buy a gun. Won’t even consider it.
I have a gun in my home. I’ve taken a gun safety course, and the concealed-carry course, and am qualified for a permit. I also have 2 holes in my roof and a dent in my bedroom floor where a bullet landed when some stupid fucker thought it would be fun to shoot into the air to celebrate New Years. Those are the people that I do not want to have guns, the ones that are irresponsible, unsafe, and flat-out stupid.
No one screams about an “infringement of their rights” when they have to take a class, pass a test, carry a license and have insurance to drive a car. We do all of that for a form of transportation but we don’t even go that far for a weapon?!?
I believe that you should have to pass a background check to purchase any gun (criminal record and mental health hospitalization).
I believe that you should have to take a gun safety course and pass a comprehension test in order to purchase a gun.
I believe that you should be required to carry liability insurance to own a gun.
I believe that you should be required to carry a license any time you carry a gun and that anyone found with a gun and no license should go to jail.