What is the answer to gun violence?

Some quick background:

I am a lifelong Republican, having registered Republican when I was 18, some fifty plus years ago. I have NEVER voted for a Democrat and even voted for Duke over…..not even going to post his name. I do not own a firearm and honestly, other than pellet guns when I was a youngster, have never fired a gun.

Over the years, I have unfortunately seen too many gun shot victims, many intentionally shot and sadly, quite a few unintentional victims because of accidents. During trauma residency at The Big Charity, I was witness to horrific gun injuries and deaths, many that I still recall thirty plus years later.

Over the years, I have spent time wondering what the answer was to stop or minimize these gun related deaths and injuries. Now, that I am scaling back my ER time and nearing retirement, it troubles me that I have not thought of a possible solution.

I am in support of the second amendment and do not wish to see it revoked or changed in any way. I am asking the question – What is the answer to reduce these gun related incidents, whether it be the mass shootings or random shootings we read about daily? Is it reimplementation of the death penalty, better prosecution and stronger sentencing, more jails, better mental health care, national police force, etc.?

I read where advocates of gun control wish to have better background checks, extend wait times for a gun purchase, have strict requirements such as training to own a weapon. These things are okay for law abiding citizens, but what about the many individuals that own a gun illegally? How do we deal with these individuals?

Apologize for the long post as I am asking a simple question? What are your thoughts and suggestions on ways to reduce the gun violence?