Gun Control in the US is a widely debated subject. It is also a point to note that many individuals want to keep arms and ammunition in their household. A few of them are farmers trying to hunt foxes, recreational hunters shooting deer and moose. This is fine and dandy, but when a 12 year old gets hold of a gun and shoots in a public setting there are deep moral issues raised. I am quite sure no one says that an violent act of shooting innocent school children/teachers is justified. It is also not justified when an assailant robs a store and shoots someone.
It is staggering to see gun deaths in 2013 totaling to 11,419. A visualization is available at http://guns.periscopic.com/?year=2013. The toll seems to be a question of availability and preparedness. The availability of shotguns is being curtailed with background checks, the NY SAFE act http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NY_SAFE_Act seems to be a step in the right direction. Although these measures are good, their implementation and actual education of the public is even more important.
A few measures include storing guns in cabinets, a steel gun cabinet costs $150 on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-GCB-8RTA-Security-Assemble-Storage/dp/B004EYTD4W/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_2. This should be mandatory for all gun owners to avoid theft and misuse of the arms. Storing of arms and ammunition should be made separate. I cannot think of a situation needing a loaded ready to fire weapon (this is not james bond). A law against misuse of guns should be applied to the gun owner as well as the assailant (the NY SAFE act has some provisions in this direction).
I am a person who will probably never own a firearm. I feel the right to bear arms in the US makes me vulnerable to being shot. I would argue there is a need to put into law "a right to NOT bear arms" or "be protected against armed assailants" which entails people not bearing arms to be protected. This means knowing the folks with gums in the community. This means when they are on vacation (without their guns), they store the guns in a safe place. Another small addition would be to design educations programs and videos mandatory to a gun owner. A drivers license involves untoward scenarios and planning for action, a similar test needs to be conducted for ownership of weapons.
Safety is a big issue and passing the buck will do no good.
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