The other day, I published a post that probably appealed to more Conservatives than Liberals. It suggested issuing gun licenses to every qualified U.S. adult. Granted, it was a far-fetched idea, but it was an idea that was a little more original than some I’ve heard. I dislike the term, “thinking outside of the box,” but that was my motive. However, I prefer to call my idea the result of using my imagination to address the Second Amendment debate.
In addition to our right to bear arms, the gun control issue is also concerned with keeping guns out of the hands of potential mass murderers and unstable people. Arming the entire country would include arming those we wish to disarm. Guns enabled our country to become free, but they are now enslaving us. We’re at the mercy of those with no conscience.
Therefore, we have two issues: how to ensure that the citizenry can defend itself, and how to ensure that school children and other innocents aren’t massacred.
We probably don’t have to worry about our own government turning on us, but it can never be ruled out. Who knows what might happen after we’re long gone? A more likely occurrence, however, would be that our country was attacked by another country or by terrorists. If our enemy showed up on our streets, we would want to defend ourselves. Our armed forces won’t be able to be everywhere at once.
What’s a country to do?
How about making all handguns and all assault weapons illegal for the general public? (Hunting rifles and bows and arrows would require background checks and renewable licenses.) Every eligible citizen would be guaranteed a weapon, though, in the event of enemy attack. Guns would be kept in an armory in every neighborhood and every adult person who had registered for a gun, and passed a background check and a gun-safety course, would be issued one, along with ammunition, when their communities decided that it was time to hand them out.
The possibility of corruption and bought-off armory officials who would refuse to dispense weapons would be a possibility. These armories would also be targets for break-ins. Therefore, safeguards would have to be built into the system.
It’s an idea. If you have a better one, let’s hear it. Nobody can agree on the ideas out there now, so let’s try some new ones.
Patsy Porco's Blog: Free and Worth It! 
An open discussion about a controversial topic? That’s refreshing. I like you’re idea. My problem with the entire gun debate in America boils down to the fact that fear is the underlying reason we’re told to own guns, which, ultimately, are products that are making very few people very wealthy, who in turn keep the conversation focused on rights and so called freedom. I’m a veteran. And I don’t think my freedom would be in jeopardy if we made it very difficult for you’re average Joe to own a weapon. We’re a violent country, more so than most. And while we’re all bickering over how to fix it, the rich are getting richer.
It’s rather sad. But it helps to talk about it. Thanks for the post. – Mark
Thanks, Mark, for reading and commenting. I agree that we need to talk about this. That way, we might be able to come up with an answer that satisfies the most people. Thanks again!