Use the Military as a model on how to do gun control

[Bill USA]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/06/14/orlando-shooting-gun-control-army-military-gun-regulations-storage-background-checks-column/80845384/

I spent four decades of my professional life in a subset of American society that very tightly controlled access to guns. Certainly, there were many guns and other weapons around, and at times they were quite visible. But within this society, there was also a comprehensive understanding that guns were dangerous and could be the central component of unfortunate — even fatal — circumstances, especially when combined with alcohol, drugs, heightened emotions or misplaced loyalties.

Because of this recognition, in this society where I was privileged to live and work, we controlled guns. Anyone who touched one had to be trained and, in effect, licensed. Guns had to be registered with a federal authority. Ammunition was tightly controlled and without exception fully accounted for. Should anyone show signs of mental or emotional distress, his weapons were typically withheld and only returned when there was high confidence that any troublesome problems had been controlled or cured.

What was this society that exercised a high degree of gun control? Well, it was the U.S. Army.

There is an image held by many that in the military, all servicemen and servicewomen have a weapon mounted on a rack above their bunk, ready for them instantly to reach up and grab when the alert siren sounds. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, when I was in the Army, all military weapons not in use for official duties were locked in a rack, which was chained to the floor, which was in a room secured by double doors, which were bolted shut with high-security locks. In addition, the room was monitored with alarm systems and checked hourly to ensure all security measures were in place and functioning.

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First, there must be a renewal of the ban on assault weapons. Second, related to this ban should be a ban on large-volume ammunition magazines. Unless in an active combat zone, the military stores its large ammunition magazines separately from weapons.

[hack89]

1. Soldiers willingly surrender many rights civilians take for granted.

Last edited Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:51 PM - Edit history (1)

having spent 20 years in the military I enjoy the additional freedoms civilian life affords me.

[yallerdawg]

3. I don't recall "willingly surrendering" any rights.

It was a job with specific conditions of employment. I agreed to that as we went along.

I never gave up a single right. In fact:

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

[hack89]

4. ok. nt

[elleng]

2. 'If you want an assault weapon, join the Army.' --Wes Clark

[SunSeeker]

5. That works for me!