Model Gun Control Legislation

1.  No one can own a gun without providing a reason for gun ownership: collecting, hunting, sport shooting whatever. Security guards could get special permits.
2. Allow special rules for collectors of guns. Collectors could purchase almost any type of weapon but could not take them out of the house in working order or fire them without additional review by the police. All sales/trades between collectors would have to be registered.
3. No matter where the weapon is purchased the police department in the purchaser’s home town must review the application.
4. Any sober and responsible adult could own a rifle or shotgun. Children under 18 could get rifles and shotguns if their parents approve (and if they have a reason to get them).
5. Handguns would be more restricted. No one under the age of 21 could have one. Of course all the purchases would still have to go thru local police.
6. Local police would have to be notified if anyone inherits a weapon. They would decide if the legacy could be honored.
7. A clean police record would be required. The definition of “sober” would apply to mental problems as well as drug and alcohol problems

This is my paraphrase of the gun control legislation in Norway that was in place when Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people, mostly children, after he exploded a bomb in Oslo to distract the police. He brought all of his weapons legally. He joined sporting clubs and was a regular participant in club meetings so he could keep his status as a sportsman and obtain weapons. He successfully created a fake company to legally buy chemicals for the explosives.

All it takes is a hard heart to kill. Laws do not stop committed criminals.

Our gun control problem is not a failure to regulate weapons. Our opportunity to prevent murder is care for the mentally ill.