None of these proposals is new. Feinstein's been trying to get the Assault Weapons Ban renewed every year since 2004, and we've had Lautenberg and Schumer trying to close the so-called gunshow loophole for at least 8 years.
This legislation will continue to be proposed in the House and Senate. The only difference is that they had Sandy Hook as a catalyst this time.
Tom you are 100% right.
I have been thinking however more along the lines of what caused the problem we face now. When I was growing up we were taught about guns. We were taught how to use them properly, and safely. We learned the value of guns as tools, and we learned to respect them and to shoulder the responsibility that comes with using a gun. We learned to use them and not to fear them. The current crop of people who grew up hating and fearing guns are usually people who have no real idea of what they are, or what they can do. They get all of their information from tv or hollywood, from anti gun propaganda, or from unrealistic games and similar sources, so they fear them. Plus they get hammered relentlessly by the media as to the evil of guns, and never, ever see a positive side to owning one.
What I propose is education. What about pro gun legislation that offers gun safety and other courses starting in middle school? You teach them. Knowledge is power. People start to see from a young age that guns are simply tools that can at times be misused for evil intent, but that by themselves are just a tool to be used safely and responsibly, just like a hammer, knife, chainsaw, or getting behind the wheel of a car.
So many moved to cities and a way of life devoid of the need to hunt for food or to protect themselves, and because of that, grew up without the most basic education about guns. (I find it odd now that those same cities are the worst places to be without a gun, but that is another thread for another time.)
When they learn about guns, real honest information, the fear goes away, and so does the left's ability to spread lies about guns. Not to mention you introduce people to the "fun" factor of shooting sports, along with teaching them safety and responsibility. I find that some of the most avid anti gun folks, or some of the most fearful do to the lies or preconceived notions that they grew up with, have some of the biggest smiles you ever saw when introduced properly to just how fun it is to plink around with a .22 long rifle on a warm day.
We teach kids about cars before we alloow them to drive, because we know what cars can do in the hands of the unlearned. Do the same with guns. We propose classes in safety and such in schools, completely optional. We overcome the fear with knowledge. We offer classes and instruction to anyone of legal age who wants to learn.
As a piece of legislation, we could draft a bill providing for the classes to be mandatorily offered in all public schools, but optional to take. That way kids whose parents want them to participate would be assured of the availability at no extra cost, but those that didn't like it could exclude thier children with no penalty to the child. In exchange for these classes being made law as part of public school curriculum, we offer the anti-gunners some nugget to make them feel warm and fuzzy. (I have no idea as to what)
Present it as they do. What person would want their children to understand how to behave around, and handle a gun safely, in case they ever find themselves faced with needing or wanting to handle one? We cut down on ignorance, and thereby cut down on accidents caused by irresponsible or negligent use.
I am not forming my thoughts as well as I like tonight, but I hope you get the general idea. Maybe someone else could expand on the idea, or make it better? Present it as "for the children". Education is so important, and who would deny a child a chance to be properly educated?
There are many other pros to this line of thinking, and I suppose maybe some cons, but they allude me at the moment....