The topic of gun control is almost never a polite discussion, but worse yet its almost never a discussion that leads to compromise or real solutions. To put it more clearly, each side is certain that their ideas will make the world a better place; that their ideas are totally right and the other’s totally wrong. Each side has been wholly consumed by the halo effect. No matter how reasonable the other side might be, we denounce them as evil, ignorant, and foolish. Hopefully, I am about to change that.
Before we begin its worth noting that I am a self proclaimed gun-nut. I own all sorts; from hunting shotguns, to historical military rifles, to “assault rifles”, to hi-capacity handguns. I absolutely love guns, but at the same time I find many pro-gun arguments and people to be irrational and polarized. Read many of their arguments and it will sicken you as to how insincere or unreasonable their beliefs are. You’re telling me that there can be NO good measure to solve gun crime or murders?!? NONE?!?!
On the flip side, I also find many anti-gun arguments to be unforgiving and non-academic. I find most of these arguments to be ignorant and, pardon my harshness, stupid. Many, if not most, anti-gun proponents legitimately don’t know how guns work, the relevant features of guns (SEE: 30 magazine clip), how powerful guns are, and yet they want to push severe measures restricting certain firearms. Just as many of these people are equally as polarized and irrational as their pro-gun counterparts. You mean a good, law-abiding citizen CAN’T own an AR-15?!?
Even as a hardcore gun owner, I find it sick that one person can kill tens of people so easily. I find it more disturbing that most pro-gun people can’t seem to entertain the notion that something could be done to solve this. Here’s where the compromise comes in. Suppose we craft a legitimate deal; one that gives gun owners and gun control proponents something they both like. The deal is this: instate Universal Background Checks (UBC), but remove restricted firearms/firearms accessories from the National Firearms Act (NFA). This means that firearms such as machine guns, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and suppressors would now be unrestricted. However, potential gun purchasers must pass the UBC to own any firearms. In other words, so long as one can pass the vetting process they can own any firearm they like. In principle, this wouldn’t harm anyone’s 2nd Amendment rights. And if it doesn’t, count me in. I’m all for limiting needless deaths and creating a better society.
So are you in?