The Second Amendment:
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Most people contract this sentence to the more concise “right to bare arms”, neglecting the full intent of the right. I am not going to get deep into the case history or mindset of the founders, but here is my interpretation of the right:
You can own anything capable of protecting yourself and thwarting the encroachment of the government on your rights as a citizen, so long as you demonstrate reasonable faculties and understanding of utilization of said weapons.
As a liberal, most gun enthusiasts generally believe that I hate guns and want all of them confiscated and melted down. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, I am comfortable with properly trained, mentally stable, and licensed citizens owning any weapon, from a BB gun all the way to a nuclear ballistic missile. Now, before you think I am some sort of unhinged nut advocating for the destruction of humanity, allow me to define what I mean.
Under the umbrella of the “well-regulated” portion of the amendment, I believe the following measures are not only constitutional, but necessary to have safe and responsible gun ownership.
Background checks – Every time a person engages firearm transaction, a check into the background if the recipient must be conducted. The background check would validate the legal status of the person acquiring the firearm, ensuring they are in good standing in society.
Mental health checks – Every two years, gun owners must participate in a mental health evaluation to legally maintain their gun ownership. Failed evaluations can be followed up by a second opinion before confiscation occurs. Any confiscation would be associated with a six month hold, giving the owner an opportunity to address mental health issues and regain access to their firearms.
Ballistic database – every single firearm manufactured or imported into this country would be subjected to a ballistics review. The data would be stored in a national database, available to all citizens for review.
Licensing – each firearm owner would be licensed for each firearm. The firearms would be registered to the owner, who would be responsible for the use of the firearms registered to them.
Insurance – each firearm owner would maintain insurance to ensure that victims of injury or death related to registered firearms would be fully compensated for medical and funeral expenses.
Firearm security – each firearm would be stored in accordance with a standard set of rules that would entail trigger locks, storage safes, and other measures to minimize access by untrained users.
Training – part of the licensing of individuals would involve training that supports the proper use of the weapon. This extends beyond merely caring for the firearm and learning how to discharge it with accuracy. This requires that the user understands the proper use of the weapon under circumstances were it would be used. An owner of a .22 rifle would only require minimal usage training which would increase in complexity as the lethality of the weapon increases. Handgun owners would have to demonstrate a capacity to handle a weapon in a variety of self-protection circumstances. An owner of a .50 cal sniper rifle would have to undergo training commiserate with its ability to inflict damage over great distances.
Consequences – failure to comply with these measures to maximize public safety would result in severe minimum prison sentences, confiscation of weapons, and prohibition of future firearm ownership.
Of course, these actions will not immediately end gun violence in the US. We have developed a culture of gun adoration that leads far too many to handle firearms in an irresponsible fashion. The goal is to elevate gun ownership to a civic responsibility commiserate with the risk involved to others.