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Rob Freda

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Solving gun violence in the US in today's insane political climate requires a solution that makes it painless for everyone.

First that this idea even needs to be broached in the first place is ridiculous especially given the lack of clarity in the second amendment (eg it does not specify types of arms so that should be handled by laws not as a "do what you will free for all").

That said it seems there are some major elements that would be necessary to reduce gun deaths in the US and there are some obfuscating interests embodied in the NRA that must be sidestepped or accommodated in the solution.

Four main areas of focus jump out to reduce gun deaths:

1) "mass killings" (included in this would be the 2 or 3 person shootings as well as as Newtown or Aurora types)
2) Accidental shootings
3) Non-owner shootings (eg the shooter is not the owner of the gun)
4) "black market" trading

Added to these I would say the parameter that makes gun control legislation difficult is gun manufacturer revenue stream protection using the second amendment as a shill.

So what are the necessary parameters to make something happen vs. the absurdity of what is going to happen over the next few months in Washington:

1) Figure out a way that shifting policy creates more revenue for gun manufacturers so they get the NRA on board
2) Make sure that guns cannot be used in public places or by someone other than their owner

The Idea - Mandatory gun locks and universal kill switches.

On locks, all responsible gun owners have gun safes. Why not move the lock to the gun's trigger mechanism either with a combination code or biometric locks. That would prevent unauthorized use of the gun by anyone but the owner.

On kill switches, in the same locking mechanism put a chip and actuator that freezes the locking mechanism mentioned above when it receives a certain modulated radio signal.

If mandatory then all existing guns will have to be refitted with the new bolt mechanism creating revenue streams for the gun manufacturers and on all new guns they can charge more creating more revenue.

Thoughts?

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    bristol ozturgut

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    Jan 20 2013: Painless? It'll be painstakingly hard. But I do think we have the power to make a few seamless transitions.

    Criminals will have guns, always. No amount of laws will stop criminals from getting and using guns. So, instead of removing guns from this country, put them into the hands of those who already guard the schools, theatres, etc that are being attacked. [Keep in mind that gun violence is exploited, just as Vladamir Kasachueski pointed out.] These school, mall, and theater guards don't carry, but imagine if they did? Criminals would be less easy knowing someone could shoot back.

    Keep in mind that our media operates under a "Cockroach Model" as it constantly tries to highlight something that is disgusting, shocking - the worst parts of our kitchen. It does a number on us because, when we see it highlighted so often, we get the idea that this stuff is common, and we despair. Don't despair! Let's have grace with ourselves while we try to figure out a solution that will realistically take a long time to figure out. Baby steps!
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      Dinoop Menon

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      Jan 21 2013: The issue is that every illegal gun possessed by criminals is legally made in America. So the only option is to reduce the avaialbility of guns and make stringent rule for licenses.Only give licenses if there is an imminet life threat on the person and scrutinize every application like you scrutinize Indians applying for American Visa :) .That is the only way ahead, rest of it both of us can argue and point fingers on whose fault it is.

      stats don't lie , higher the percentage of average house holds having a gun , higher is the gun related death rates.So you ahve to bring down that percentage to less than 10 to really curb the gun related death rate.
      Comparison with in America
      http://election.princeton.edu/2012/12/22/scientific-americans-gun-error/
      Comparison world
      http://guncontrol.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/moregunsmoredeaths2012.pdf

      • Vladimir Kasacheuski

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        Jan 22 2013: Civilian gun restriction wont cool off the gun industry.

        And again, its logical that the more guns you have the more gun deaths you will have

        But guns are there for protection against violence, and self defense. Not to prevent gun death.
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        bristol ozturgut

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        Jan 24 2013: But there is a hole in your line of thinking because there are also a mass of guns already out there. Do you imply that police ought to retroactively hunt down and eliminate these guns? I think we're just a little too late to think along that line because I think there are enough weapons already adrift out there to fuel criminal activity for many years even if we limited the supply.

        In truth, I am not against your precautions. The real solution will probably employ a lot of many precautions we are bringing up today. I think you are looking at the long-term and I am looking at the short-term and they don't have to be mutually-exclusive.

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