Given the violence in CO and all the lively debates about it, I've been thinking about the lack of gun control. Guns are a consumer product and are less regulated than liquor, wine, toys, toothpaste or even sinus medicine. It is easier to buy a gun than it is to buy a house or a car, get a job or obtain health insurance. A retailer is not even allowed to sell you large quantities of sinus medication but they can sell you as much guns and ammo as you want. How has the gun lobby has been so effective at minimizing regulation for such deadly consumer products? More to come on this last question later...
For now, check out the map on the right...only 5 states have bans on assault weapons (white states). 3 states regulate assault weapons (light orange) while 42 states (darker orange), do not ban or regulate assault weapons. A decade or so ago, there was a nationwide ban on assault rifles. What has changed? The chart on the left shows shifting gun views over time using Gallup Poll data. The green bar is the % of people wanting more strict laws. The yellow line shows % of people wanting less strict/keep the same as now.
The image below are the guns the shooter used in the theater in Aurora, CO. Who really needs all this? It is illegal to hunt with assault rifles so why a civillian is allowed to possess a deadly military assault rifle just doesn't make any sense to me. I can fully understand a gun enthusiasts desire to fire a gun like this...but...can't we compromise? At a bare minimum, it should be much more difficult to possess deadly assault rifles and high capacity clips. I can understand the argument that if someone wants to buy it, they should be able to...doesn't mean I agree with it at all. But seriously...it should not be this easy to buy these types of weapons. Let's be reasonable.
Surely we can find a compromise that balances gun enthusiasts wants/desires (not a need or a right) to own military style assault rifles and high capacity clips with the need for public safety. Right? Right?? Anyone??? Bueller...Bueller...
Now for the Truth about State Gun Regulations. I think most people would be shocked if they realized how easy it truly is for anyone to get dangerious military style assault weapons.
Here is a summary of Colorado State Gun Law:
In the publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCPGV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 firearm-related policy areas. Colorado ranked 27th out of 50 – having enacted a modest amount of gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Colorado:
- Regulates gun shows and requires that all firearms transfers at gun shows be processed by a licensed firearms dealer prior to the transfer of any firearm;
- Conducts its own background checks on firearm purchasers through licensed dealers and denies a firearm sale if the background check cannot be completed within the three-day default period; and
- Requires that mentally ill individuals who are ineligible to possess firearms be reported to the federal database used for firearm purchaser background checks.
- Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties, except at gun shows;
- Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
- Require firearm dealers to obtain a state license;
- Require firearm owners to obtain a license, register their firearms, or report lost or stolen firearms;
- Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases;
- Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
- Regulate unsafe handguns;
- Significantly regulate ammunition sales; or
- Give law enforcement discretion to deny a concealed handgun permit.
In 2009, Colorado ranked 21st in the number of gun deaths per capita among the states. 583 people died from firearms injuries in Colorado in that year. Colorado is also a crime gun exporter. Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, in 2009, Colorado exported crime guns at almost twice the rate at which it imported them – in other words, guns that had been originally purchased in Colorado were recovered after being used in crimes in other states at twice the rate at which crime guns originally purchased outside Colorado were then recovered inside Colorado.
Source: http://smartgunlaws.org/colorado-state-law-summary/
Now...what does smart gun regulation look like? Acoording to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Smart Gun Regulations look like this:
Source: Model Gun Laws For a Safer America
Model Laws for a Safer America is designed for use by activists and elected officials nationwide seeking to close dangerous loopholes in our federal regulatory system. This unique publication provides sample language for state and local laws to:
1) require background checks on all gun purchasers
2) license firearm owners
3) register all firearms
4) regulate firearms dealers and ammunition sellers
5) require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms
6) impose a waiting period before the sale of a firearm
7) limit firearm purchases to one per person every 90 days
And this looks like a great start to me too!
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