Let's enact rational gun ownership reform now!

The day of reckoning has finally come. When innocent men, women, and children are regularly gunned down in our shopping malls, schools and places of worship, something must be done. Gun violence in this country must be stopped for the protection of the most basic right we all must defend: the right to life itself. It’s time to transform our ideas about gun ownership from dystopic fantasy to righteous pragmatism.

In the minds of some, ownership of a firearm is sacrosanct and uniquely defines what it means to be an American. This notion is not universally held, but those who believe it have shut down both debate and any meaningful policy response to related bloodshed. Our problem is not just about the idea of gun ownership. It’s about unregulated, unlimited ownership of the ability to kill large amounts of innocent people.  As a society we need to act smartly and decisively to protect ourselves and our children.

The time has long since passed for more effective, stringent gun control.  The question is how we can effectively remove the threat of innocents being murdered by nefarious, angry, or crazy people with unchecked access to efficient deadly force. Alarmingly, we still hear the argument made that any limitation on ownership of firearms should be considered a threat on civil liberties.

There are some basic questions we should be asking ourselves. Should American society be defined by our citizens’ ability to kill each other? Should Americans who choose not to arm themselves or  who can’t arm themselves have their rights protected by the rule of law? Is it time to separate gun safety education from gun advocacy and gun manufacture lobbying?

America’s love affair with guns must seem strange to other civilized affluent democratic societies. For over 20 years we have allowed unregulated gun ownership and gun deaths to proliferate unchecked. We have failed to effectively deal with an explosion of gun ownership and gun-related death. This phenomenon is uniquely American. It is a shameful chapter in our history

There are many legitimate, practical measures that can and must be taken to limit access to assault rifles and similar guns as soon as possible. This needs to happen even if it means profit-killing regulations for US gun manufacturers and even if it means some weapons and ammunition will be impossible for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and self-styled defenders of freedom to own.

The time for soul searching has come. Those who own guns should consider how many and for what purposes. Keeping guns out of public places should be the norm. We can learn much from the rest of the world. Our unique first place status in gun manufacture, ownership and violent death demonstrate our gun depravity and illustrate our need to grow up as a country. We should study what works elsewhere and apply it in the US. How about abandoning America the murderous for America the beautiful?

Disarming completely is an option to be considered seriously by individuals. The love of guns has become a uniquely American obsession. This tragic obsession is killing too many of us. We can do something about it. Let’s at least try.