People Control vs. Gun Control

Recently, there was a terrible tragedy where a young man went on a shooting rampage and injured or killed many in Arizona, including a public servant and a little girl.  Several years ago, someone walked onto a college campus and opened fire on students.  Innocent people have been hurt in high schools, main highways, homes, malls, even churches.  Every time something like this happens, there is an increase in discussion on the 2^nd Amendment of the United States Constitution.  Gun control laws and the right to bear arms becomes a major topic of conversation among citizens on both sides and the middle.

In these discussions someone inevitably says, “Guns don’t kill people.  People kill people,” or some variation thereof.  Blaming the gun for the crime has been compared to blaming the pencil for the misspelling.  It is true that guns rarely shoot without human input (and responsible gun owners unload or lock their guns to make tragic accidents significantly less likely).  In all of the mass shootings that make the news, the gun was held and discharged by a person.  So this argument does hold some merit.

I propose that, instead of tightening or increasing gun control laws, we tighten people control laws.  It is wrong to shoot people in cold blood.  Assassination attempts, hostage taking, and armed robbery are illegal and unethical and immoral.  I believe that if a person has a history of poor judgment, he should not be allowed to own a gun.

A person with uncontrolled mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, past history of violent behavior, or other indicators of bad judgment or poor impulse control should not be allowed to buy guns.  It’s ridiculous that a young person with obvious instability and lack of self control should be able to buy a gun.  That person must be controlled by keeping deadly weapons out of his hands. 

Does this sound very much like gun control advocacy?  You bet it does.  Your right to bear arms must be rescinded if you show through your behavior that you are likely to use a gun irresponsibly.  If, on the other hand, you have shown good judgment, responsible thinking, and ethical behavior, you may own all the guns you like.  You may even carry them under your jacket everywhere you go.

Except in my home.  Your license to carry ends at my door.  If you are not an on-duty police officer called to aid in my home, leave your gun outside.