Since arming everyone so they can attack a shooter doesn’t seem to work, here is an idea that might:  Make guns less available to potential shooters. After all, that’s the major reason for these shootings — easy access to guns. My proposal is: stop all current legislative activities in the U.S. House and Senate and refuse to restart them until meaningful gun control legislation is written and sent to the President, including all of the following:

• Halt all sales of military-style assault weapons to the public.

• Recall all military-style weapons from private hands for a $500 rebate on each piece.

• Halt sales of high capacity magazines and ammunition to fit them.

• Anyone still owning a military-style weapon after (date) will be fined $2,000 per weapon.

• Refuse sales of pistols to anyone under 21.

• All gun sales will be through authorized dealers that can provide thorough background checks. No gun show, internet or private sales.

 Will this action stop mass shootings immediately? No. If not, then when? Maybe 25-plus years. Hard to say. What if this legislation had been enacted when mass shootings started after the University of Texas and Columbine shootings in the 1990s?

 Will this action be difficult to pursue? Yes, but not for legislators who believe that something drastic must be done now, and that saving innocent lives is more important than winning the next election. Polls show the public is overwhelmingly behind them. Piecemeal legislation to increase mental health checks or limit violent video games is a waste of time.

 Legislators opposing gun control should be called on the carpet. Publicize their names and call them forward to defend themselves before the voters. This action does not infringe on gun rights. It takes non-sporting, military-style weapons designed for mass killing out of the hands of people who now have easy access to them. That’s all it is. It doesn’t stop legal gun ownership, hunting or sport shooting. And it is non-partisan. 

Jim Froyd

Swain County