Here we go, so now Donnie and Mitch are talking about background checks for every gun sale. The staunch advocates of our Second Amendment rights, staunch NRA allies. Sure. Please tell me this doesn’t surprise you. Please.
Let’s look at the high-level logic of this. Most recent mass shooters have gotten their guns legally with background checks. Or they have borrowed a gun from someone who has. So how is this going to identify mass shooters? Another feel good law that will do nothing. How about the threat on the street or in a gang? Do you really think criminals will buy guns through legal means? Do you really think extremists will buy/sell their buddies guns through background check processes?
It’s not that I have a big problem with background checks. I just think the reasons for putting this one in at this time are wrong or even sinister. Gee, let’s have our leaders agree on some feel good gun law. The real effect will be law-abiding gun owners will pay more in taxes and be better tracked. Just in case of what, exactly?
I propose we should be talking about red flag measures that actually bite. Look, we find out after-the-fact that most of these mass shooters someone knew about, if not multiple folks. It’s the kid in school that wears the long dark clothes and threatens people. It’s the religious zealot who argues angrily over his views with anybody who listens and threatens people or places. It’s the guy on the no-fly list for a good reason. It’s the guy who has threatened his coworkers. It’s the guy on websites talking with his buddies about “somebody should do this or that” and burning crosses. We know who they are.
You know, if you’re on the no-fly list, maybe you should work on figuring out why you’re on it and get off of it instead of trying to buy a gun. And if you threaten your wife/girlfriend and others around you, maybe you should explore anger issues instead of trying to buy more guns. And if you’re poor, unhappy and can’t get out of the hole you’re in, don’t blame it on somebody else. Do something about it, even get some help. There’s plenty out there.
We the people individually know who these people are. We are either scared of reporting them, or we tell ourselves they won’t act on their words, or we are one of them. We should have a mechanism for pointing it out and vetting those reports. And that mechanism should work. Not to spy on the masses but to keep ourselves in check. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re some Muslim who thinks that all other people are wrong if they’re not part of your religion and should die, you shouldn’t have a gun and there are people who know that. And if you’re some white extremist who thinks that every other color on this planet is bad and should die, you shouldn’t have a gun and there are people who know that. Just a few examples, mind you, but does it get any simpler?
Law-enforcement should be aware of all these idiots, and to do that they need more support. Law enforcement/government also needs to be monitored very carefully so as to not allow abuse. This process should all be very transparent. There should be government and watchdog groups that report to other government and watchdog groups. If there’s any hint of abuse it should be in the media and dealt with immediately and harshly, because certainly what I’m suggesting can threaten a democracy. People all over the world use it for ill-gotten gains.
But wait, don’t we already have this in place? Why don’t we simply work on making what’s in place better? Why are we viciously arguing over new laws that are likely not great solutions and not even enforceable? Just putting more thought, time and resources into what already exists will work. Of course there will be some changes and updates, but that’s how all processes progress if they’re to get better.