Since the penning of the U.S. Constitution, the gun debate has always hinged on the Second Amendment. Solving our current issues of gun control requires a change of how we view ownership: from a right to own to a question of affordability.
The U.S. has a gun culture, unlike any other nation. There are many laws on the books, yet guns still find their way into the hands of children, criminals and the mentally ill. Restrictive laws have not worked and, quite honestly, they aren’t the solution.
The U.S. also is a capitalist nation, so let’s use it to solve this issue. Look at gun ownership as you would owning a car. There are legal requirements and financial costs to owning one. You need to be of age, attend training, demonstrate competence, own a license, own insurance, buy from a legal vendor who vets your ownership requirements, register with the state annually, and submit to inspection each year.
Like a car, you couldn’t buy a gun without insurance. Insurance companies would conduct background checks, and not big government – who could argue with that? Premiums would be based on the owner’s lifestyle, usage risk indicators, number of children in the household, open carry, the lethality of the weapon, and so on.
Like a driver’s license test, the state would be responsible for conducting ownership tests. Do you understand state and federal laws? Do you have the results of a recent gun-range exam showing an understanding of proper handling? Given certain scenarios, what’s the legal response? Without passing the test, you can’t get your gun license.
You would be able to buy a gun legally from a licensed gun dealer if you have a gun license and insurance, just as you would a car. Even at gun shows, the same applies or dealers would lose their licenses and face severe penalties. There wouldn’t be a need for a waiting period because there’s a whole process that must be met.
Like the annual registration, owners must re-register each year. Prices depend on the lethality of the weapon. A safety inspection also would be required, which may also include a refresher training course requirement.
Sure, guns would still be sold illegally just as people are driving stolen vehicles without insurance. But they are taking a serious chance of getting caught. Because of the lethality involved, violations would face severe penalties to include steep fines and/or jail time.
The point of all this is to take gun ownership seriously. Putting a state-run system in place for the safe ownership and operation of lethal weapons is the right thing to do. This would give gun owners more freedom and protections than what is currently in place. Law enforcement could ask for license, registration and insurance.
This would also put the community at ease, knowing owners are competent and vetted. It would also generate revenue for the state while keeping the federal government’s hand out of the picture.
Imagine a day when all citizens could agree that it’s OK to own a gun because we have a system in place, where owners are responsible and willing to take the steps necessary to afford one. And a system that protects its citizens with proper safeguards.
It’s time to think outside the box — for our children’s sake.
James Howell is a husband, father of four and grand-father of four. He lives in Kapolei.
