After the recent school massacre at a Uvalde, Texas Elementary school, the White House issued a statement that President Biden is not considering 'doing anything' to get rid of the Second Amendment. Biden simply wants "common-sense gun reform".
I've been hearing the call for common-sense gun reform for quite some time, without any real understanding of what the term actually means.
Putting the term into a search engine, I found a few proposals.
Vermont Congressman Peter Welch
New York Congressman Joe Morelle
bradyunited.org
Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Although there are some differences in the proposals, all seem to agree on
1) "red flag laws"
2) expanded background checks
3) a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
I'm sure these "common-sense gun reforms" will prevent some of the mass shootings plaguing the United States.
The so-called "red flag laws" would work only in those situations where a potential gun owner has exhibited certain types of behavior. There's no evidence that such a law would have prevented the Uvalde shooter from buying a gun. The same would apply to the expanded background check proposal. In this case, the killer passed the required background check in Texas. He had not committed a felony before purchasing the weapons and ammo.
I can't see any problem with the 3rd proposal - the ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. I've no objection to people owning weapons to protect home and family, but does anyone really need an assault weapon? I know, some will claim that citizens in the U.S. need military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to guard against a rogue government, but does anyone believe they can withstand the full force of the U.S. military?
For its worth, IMHO, the first two proposals will prevent some, but not all mass killings. Proposal #3 seems reasonable to me.
UPDATE
Please check my post I Stand Corrected for further thoughts on "red flags".
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