Martin O'Malley has the best gun control proposals, hands down.

[DanTex]

https://martinomalley.com/policy/preventing-and-reducing-gun-violence/

Hillary, who I support, is ahead of Bernie on this issue, but O'Malley really has the best plan with the potential of getting us down near European levels of gun violence. Some of the most important parts of his plan:

Establish a national firearms registry. This is hugely important, at least for handguns. Not all countries with low gun violence rates have outright bans on handguns, but they do have some form of registration. Registration basically solves the straw purchase problem. If you buy a gun, from anyone, it is registered to you. If you give it to someone else, who is found using it in a crime, you have a very serious problem. No more getting your friend to go to a gun show and pick up a gun on the down-low, the way the Columbine shooters did.

Enact comprehensive requirements for gun purchases, including fingerprint licensing. Another big one. Right now it's way too easy to just casually buy a gun. A licence, fingerprints, mandatory safety training, etc. Combined with a gun registry, this would go a very long way towards reducing gun violence.

Increase federal penalties for gun traffickers. O'Malley is really paying attention. Right now, there is no gun trafficking statute. People who traffic in illegal guns are usually prosecuted for what amount to paperwork violations: usually it's lying on the gun purchase form when you check the box that says "this gun is for me", or in some cases it's operating a gun business without a license. People in charged of enforcing gun laws, including ATF agents and prosecutors, have repeatedly pointed out that the law as written makes it difficult to enforce and prosecute, and that there is a need for a clear gun trafficking law, with stronger penalties.

Require microstamping for all guns. Another good one. This won't affect mass shooters, who expect to be caught, but most gun homicides aren't from mass shootings. Microstamping, combined with a gun registry, will make it much easier to catch people who commit gun crimes, which in turn will dissuade a lot of people from using guns in crimes in the first place.

And there's a lot more. Credit to O'Malley.

[still_one]

1. I agree, however, there is very little chance that ANY gun control legislation will get through

Congress in this environment. Too many people love their guns more than their children.

Hyperbole, and perhaps a little harsh, but so is the epidemic of gun violence that is occurring.

[FSogol]

2. K & R. You should see his other plans....

Addiction treatment and prevention
https://martinomalley.com/policy/addiction-treatment-and-prevention/

Criminal Justice Reform
https://martinomalley.com/policy/criminal-justice/

Making College Debt Free for all Americans
https://martinomalley.com/policy/make-college-debt-free/

Holding Wall Street Accountable
https://14d2r744okfe40r1ug1oqm6y-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/OMalley-Wall-Street-Reform.pdf

Expanding Social Security
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/expanding-social-security/

Homeland Security
https://martinomalley.com/vision/homeland-security/

Immigration
https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/

National Service
https://martinomalley.com/national-service/

Environment
https://martinomalley.com/climate/iowa/
https://martinomalley.com/climate/

Foreign Policy
https://martinomalley.com/policy/truman-national-security/

[DanTex]

4. As I dig in a little more, gotta say I'm impressed.

But how does he win? I've always believed that putting a Dem in the White House is the top priority, and I think Hillary is the most electable. I don't know, maybe O'Malley will take off after the first debate, he's a good speaker from what I've seen -- actually I like everything about him. But I just don't see it happening this time.

He's still young. I don't think this is his last presidential run, and I hope he builds up some name recognition for the next time around.

[elleng]

5. WTF makes 'electable?'

The name's been around for a long time???

And I surely don't support candidates because I think others do, I support candidates I think will do the role best.

Watch, read and LISTEN!

[DanTex]

6. A combination of things.

It's not that I support Hillary because I think others do, I support her in the primary because I think she is the most likely to beat the GOP in the general. And I think that's a pretty good reason, because the difference between the GOP and any of the Dem candidates is much bigger than the difference between the Dems.

[FSogol]

7. That's fair, but a lot can change in the next 13 months.

Don't be surprised when his campaign takes off.

[DanTex]

8. Honestly, if that happens I will be surprised. But I'll also be happy about it.

[artislife]

3. You should switch your candidate, then.

Martin could use the help and you seem to love to do OPs. Give elleng some backup!