The January 29 2023 edition of The New York Times had a timely article titled "A Smarter Way to Reduce Gun Deaths “ . Do we or do we not value human life ? Forget the unrealistic commandment "thou shall not kill." Statistically, more people in this country ,since 1977 have died from gun involvement - suicides , homicide's and accidents, about 1.5 million, than from all the killing of our soldiers ,1.4 million, since the Revolutionary war and we recently added 6 more . Our capitalistic political system, in the hands of the minority, values profits and power over human and animal life. This essay addresses firearms with additional ideas.
The following from the article: 1. In 2021, 48,000 Americans were killed by firearms, including suicides, homicides and accidents . 2. American women aged 50 or older commit fewer than 100 gun homicides in a typical year while men 49 years of age or younger typically kill more than 500 people each year just with their fists and feet. With guns , they kill more than 7,000 each year. 3. There are more than 700,000 fully automatic weapons(machine guns) outside the military. Most are owned by federal, state or local agencies. With a background check and permission, members of the public can buy an UZI submachine gun or mounted 50 caliber machine guns made before 1986. The background check includes a clean record and $200 for a transfer tax process that takes several months to complete. The individual must report to the authorities if it is stolen and get approval if moved to another state. 4. In Mississippi, the buyer of firearms must not be underage or drunk. 5. People are barred from buying alcohol or cigarettes before they turn 21. 6. Wyoming established a minimum age of 21 to buy a handgun. 7. Federal laws bans felons from owning guns. Individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors- stalking, domestic violence and alcohol abuse should also be restricted. 8. We have universal background checks, but there is no comprehensive system to remove guns from people who become ineligible. 9. Why not license a person to buy a gun ? Massachusetts, one of the lowest gun mortality rates in the country, has applicants pay $100 for a license , be fingerprinted ,undergo a background check and explain why he or she wants a gun . If granted . It typically takes a few weeks with an obligation to store it safely and report it if stolen . 10. Since 2020, an additional 50 million guns have been sold in the United States. 11. Driving a car used to provide many deaths, but we've reduced the number of deaths from driving. Firearms now kill more people than cars. 12. Rifles are known to have been used in 364 homicides in 2018 and shotguns in 200 homicides .13. AR 15 style rifles are designed to kill as many people in a shorter time as possible. American troops are not allowed to fire with hollow point bullets which cause horrific damage because they might violate the laws of war, but civilians can. 14. The most lethal weapon of all is a 9 mm handgun and other semi automatic pistols . They have the advantage of being easily concealable . Handguns are steadily overtaking long guns . In one study of crime, guns recovered by police departments totaled 46,000 Five were identified as hunting rifles.
Briefly, some strategies to reduce gun deaths: 15. Gun owners with military or police background strongly believe safety training requirements for people carrying handguns is necessary. 16. Background checks to purchase ammunition and red flag laws are promising. Reducing gun suicides in Indiana,red flag laws reduced gun suicides by 7.5% over 10 years. 17. Waiting; limits on how many guns one can purchase and warning labels for guns and ammunition make sense. 18. 1% increase in handgun prices historically reduced demand by 2 - 3% . Each murder cost society about $17.25 million in policing ,courts, incarceration, work productivity lost and insecurity. 19. Encourage homeowners to rely on a shotgun rather than an assault weapon . 20. Ease restrictions on pepper spray. 21. Concealed carry permits don't turn communities into Dodge . Individuals go through the permit process and they are typically middle-aged adults with no criminal history with pretty good self-control. 22. Assault rifles cause fewer than 7% of guns used in crimes. California bans assault weapons. However, manufacturers promptly designed compliant weapons that are almost the same as those that are banned and are technically legal, 23. There are probably more rifles in private hands in the United States than in the armories of the United States military .Large capacity magazines play a significant role in mass shootings, but handguns kill more people. 24 Research finds that better street lighting and the conversion of vacant vacant lots into green areas seem to reduce shootings. 25. Counseling and intervention strategies reduce suicides which constitute a majority of gun deaths . 26. North Carolina requires a license to buy a handgun. 27. New York state has a firearms death rate less than one quarter that of all gun friendly states like Alaska, Wyoming, Louisiana and Mississippi because of their gun safety regulations.
I propose more comprehensive license requirements than Massacussetts states, for purchasing a firearm and ammunition in California . For example, the set of conditions are as follows : 1. Incorporate or create an additional class from the Administration of Justice (Sierra College) program The class would address field work at a shooting range and focus on safety and responsible gun ownership. Note, a student would be eligible to receive an associate degree In the Administration of Justice curriculum at this Community College.
From a mental health point of view, the instructor would be a licensed psychologist, MFCC or LCSW. The mental health professional would be required to conduct a pre-and post interview. A brief mental health evaluation would entail taking a social, economic, employment and academic history along with assessing attitudes towards firearms , citizen responsibility, social welfare of others that are different, along with assessing levels of anxiety and depression.
The purpose of the interview would be to evaluate the responsibility of being a citizen, taking into account the person's history. Applying to the community college community, the licensed mental health professional would have high school grades and the ability to contact former high school counselors. A formal application could be established along with references - from an employer, high school counselor, high school teacher, religious administrator , athletic coach or law enforcement individual.
In concert, both staff would consult and determine if the student was eligible for gun and ammunition purchase. This program could easily be evaluated for effectiveness.. A certificate or license would be necessary for gun purchase and for ammunition in California .
PS
I have contacted ADL and California elected federal and state representatives regarding my proposal
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