TOP 5 CHANGES TO GUN CONTROL EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD SUPPORT

This is a plea for Americans to come together on gun control.  Why do guns have to get in the way of politics.  Quite simply, it is not, should not, be a political issue.

The fact is that 114,994 people are shot each year because of murders, assaults, accidents, police intervention and suicide. 

If cars were just introduced to the roads and drivers were going 100 mph and killing one another, the government would surely continue to allow cars, but they would implement speed limits so as as to limit car accident deaths....just as they have done.

If you do not support the below mentioned measures, I'd love to hear from you and understand why. Please do comment below.

IMPLEMENT MORE STRINGENT AGE REQUIREMENTS
Currently US citizens and legal American residents may purchase shotguns, rifles and ammunition at age 18. All other firearms can only be sold to people 21 and older.  Higher age restrictions may be implemented at the state level, but states cannot lower the Federal minimums.  The easiest way would be to increase the Federal age minimum for purchasing guns to 21, however if this was done at the state level, so be it.

There was a National Drinking Act implemented in 1982 that punished any state that allowed anyone under 21 to purchase or publicly possess alcohol. This could work similar in the gun world whereby, underage citizens would not be able to purchase guns, but could use them under the discretion of a parent (at a rifle range, while hunting, etc).

REQUIRE LICENSES OR PERMITS
Currently, to hold a license to sell guns is extraordinarily easy.  Not to mention, the selling license is a bargain, a mere $200 for a three year license.  Again, there should be overall training and an in-person test to pass, a background check and a considerable fee for anyone wanting to sell guns.

To use the car analogy again, the government wouldn't just let 15, 18 or even 21 year olds out on the road to drive without training or a test. A driver's license entails a written and driving test before anyone is allowed to get behind the wheel of a car alone.  In some states, even after obtaining a license, you need to be with an adult for a certain amount of time before being allowed to drive younger people.

12 states do in fact require purchasing permits before purchasing a gun and three states require a permit to buy a rifle or shotgun.  In California, applicants do need to pass a written test and enroll in a gun safety class to obtain a purchase permit.  This is fantastic and a lot more safety measures than most states have, but why not also have these same measures for people who want to purchase guns?

REQUIRE IDENTIFICATION
Massachusetts and New Jersey require rifle and shot gun holders to carry ID or firearms Identification.  This seems like a no-brainer for all states.  Does any state allow a driver to get into a car without a driver's license? 

'TRADE SHOW' LOOPHOLE
A major loophole in American gun laws is that anyone may sell a gun without a license so long as their intention is not to sell guns for a profit as their livelihood. 20% of all gun purchases are made without a background check due to this loophole.  This means people are allowed to sell or gift guns from their home, online, at a flea market or gun show without conducting a background check.

To use the car analogy again, if someone uses their parents car, they are not responsible for a hit and run accident, but if they save up and purchase their own vehicle, they'd be responsible for the accident.  

REINSTATE BAN ON NON-RECREATIONAL ASSAULT WEAPONS
It would be most simple for all gun law changes to be made at the Federal Level, but if they can be made at the state level, great and so be it.  In 1994 there was a 10 year law that prohibited the manufacturing of certain semi-automatic firearms, in addition to ammunition, for civilian use, also known as assault weapons. There was a large list of exemptions to this law, to allow for sporting, hunting, target practice or any recreational gun. The purpose of the ban was to prevent guns shown to be used for criminal purpose.

This law expired after 10 years and despite an overwhelming 77% of the US population supporting a ban on assault weapons. There was Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 that tried yet again to inhibit the sale of guns used for criminal purposes, but it did not pass.

Let's face it; the most unpatriotic thing anyone can do is murder their fellow citizens.  The most irresponsible thing a government can do is watch citizens murder one another and not implement measures to mitigate this behavior.

Image by Clay Cooper, AIGA

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