Senate committee set to vote on gun measures Thursday (plus personal views)

4 separate proposals ranging from expanded background checks to an "assault rifle" ban.

quote:

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But reviving an assault-weapons ban that ran out in 2004 has almost no chance in Congress due to opposition from Republicans and even some Democrats.

The two parties are closer to agreement on the two lesser elements of the gun-control drive: cracking down on the illegal trafficking of firearms and bolstering school security.

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It may only be a committee vote but I think this will be a good measure of what we can expect when these measures hit the floor. I'm all for bolstering security in schools if it's done correctly, I don't mind more extensive background checks as long as a national database of ownership isn't established(I have nothing to hide and that's what boating accidents are for anyway ). I think there is a good chance we see a magazine capacity limit (I think the Dems will throw some pork in the bill to get enough Republicans on board), but there is 0% chance they get a gun ban through.

I'm just trying to be realistic with my listed opinions and views. I wish none of these things come to pass, but I truly believe some of them will. None of these will stop a maniac, but the last maniac murdered 20 elementary students. I'm a staunch supporter of civil liberties and a cynical a-hole to boot, but even that gave me a shudder when I saw it on the news. I can only imagine what effect it had on those of lesser conviction.

Let's hope for the best brothers


You will also notice that there is no mention of mental health in these measures. I do mental health assessments for a living and I like to think I have a bit of insight on the subject. In 3 years(I can only go on what I've experienced) I've never assessed a patient who attempted murder. I've seen some who shot themselves once they've recovered, but those were 90% inflicted with shotguns or true hunting rifles(I assume because they are more common and widely owned). I've seen 5 fatal self-inflicted gunshots, they were all done with pistols save for one. Four were under the age of 20, 3 of those were with a parent's handgun that was left loaded and accessible, 1 was with a sawed off shotgun which is illegal anyway. Better education on how to properly store a firearm will save more lives than an "assault rifle" ban would. My point here is that I think we have adequate screenings for those who are receiving psychiatric care. These mass shooters are never going to be stopped by a wide sweeping measure. The kind of person who carries out a mass shooting is obsessive, meticulous, and generally pretty intelligent. They plan every detail and idealize their plans. They're not going to try to obtain a gun through legal channels when they know they will be denied. They'll buy from an individual or through any avenue they can find that doesn't require screening. I never thought I'd say it, but requiring a background check for person to person transactions may still actually save some lives. As gun owners we need to be vigilant of how that information is stored and used.

This is just my 2 cents in the face of a pending legislative showdown FWIW. I love lively discussion and I know we are all passionate about these measures ot varying degrees. Agree with me, disagree with me, I'm looking for good discussion.