There was a 70s cliche - don’t just do something, stand there. Haven’t we done that long enough when it comes to guns? The gun culture, while it won’t be changed, needs an overhaul.  We can no longer live in the Founding Fathers' past.  We’ve changed in so many areas (e.g. science, technology, transportation, etc...) that now is the time for the gun culture to catch up.  I don’t think Thomas Jefferson visualized assault rifles, machine gun pistols, or a 12-20 round clip back in the 1700s.

The first thing to do is enforce and/or redefine all existing gun laws.  If it is inconvenient, so be it.  Some resources may need to be diverted.  The second thing is to get behind whatever recommendations the task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden comes up with.  If they ban assault type weapons for civilian ownership, so be it. The third thing is to ban civilian ownership of all military-style assault weapons. The final thing is to redefine responsibility for gun ownership. If you secure your weapon and junior can get it, you really didn’t do it. If you let junior show it to their friends and they bring it to school, you didn’t really secure it.

Now to the illegal gun ownership issues. You’re already wrong. In a perfect world, you forfeited your rights when you made the purchase.  If you were stupid enough to use it in the commission of a crime, you will have to do the time. Sometimes, gun charges are bargained down and that option should be eliminated.  Mandatory time in any incident where a weapon is used should be the standard.

In conclusion, laws can be changed. However, when you’re dead, you’re dead.  There’s nothing that can be done to change.  Start the conversation.  Don’t just stand there, do something.

Thomas M. Conway
Lewes