5 Common Sense Gun Policies Which Responsible Gun Owners Should Welcome

By Richard Brody

For generations, issues related to gun ownership, sensible gun control legislation, etc, have been, some of the most divisive, controversial, political debates, in this nation. Some gun owners have stated, their right to own a gun, is a guaranteed, constitutional right/ protection, and use the Second Amendment, as their proof of this right, to bear arms. Others claim, logical measures, are needed, and necessary, to protect the population, and use, the gun violence, incidents, to punctuate, their point! Although many debate the actual meaning of the 2nd Amendment, this article will avoid that discussion, and rather, focus, on 5 common sense, gun policies, that responsible owners, should not object to, because they would balance the perceived right to own a gun, with safety, and protecting our population.

1. Licensing: We need to register our automobiles, boats, etc, as well as needing, to pass a driver's test, if we wish to use these cars. In order to practice certain professions, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, law, real estate, etc, one must pass an examination, and pay a licensing fee. This is done, to protect the public, and make sure, those practicing, are prepared, and qualified. Wouldn't it make sense, to require, both, safety, and proficiency requirements, to own, and operate a gun, and to demand, there is the right combination of health, mental health, and understanding of the safety issues, etc?

2. Skill/ training: With all the potential ramifications, when the wrong person uses a gun, shouldn't we look more deeply, into the needed skills, and ensure, people are medically and mentally fit, as well as equipped, to own a gun? Wouldn't it make sense, to require safety and proficiency testing, initially, as well as time - related, re - testing, to be certain, they should still enjoy the privilege?

3. Background check: Shouldn't everyone have to undergo, both an initial, as well as monitored (on a regular timetable), background check, to check their criminal records, mental, physical, etc, health, and qualifications? Shouldn't safety be a basic requirement, for having this right?

4. Restricted areas: Even in the Wild West's, Dodge City, etc, Wyatt Earp prohibited wearing one's guns, in the city limits, and, especially, in saloons, bars, etc. Since alcohol may alter one's judgment, shouldn't guns be prohibited in certain areas? Shouldn't this also, apply, to certain locales, such as sporting venues, entertainment facilities, etc?

5. No need for military grade weapons: Proponents of gun rights, often, state, they need, their guns, for safety, as well as hunting and recreational purposes. However, how can anyone justify, the need, for military grade weapons, automatic, and/ or semi - automatic guns, for these purposes?

Those who should own guns, should have no qualms about certain, sane gun safety controls, and laws. Rather than making this a political issue, shouldn't we seek, to balance the rights of gun ownership, with the populations, expectations, of being safe?

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands, conducted personal development seminars, and worked on political campaigns, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. Website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for common sense politics: http://facebook.com/commonsense4all