You are more reasonable than most. Thank you. Now if only we were in a position to change these laws.

I've posted my ideas or concessions in the past but I have read more than a few posts saying the gun owners are silent or are unwilling to make concessions so I thought I'd share my thoughts again. I know you can't wait.

Personally, when I think of why I own weapons, I don't think of anything more than holding my own until well trained help can arrive. I don't think I'll need to fight off the us government or a zombie apocalypse but I can see myself needing to fend off a crazed addict looking to score a few bucks for a fix or a crazy person who followed my hot wife home and intends to assault her. Therefore, my weapon needs in this regard are limited to a reliable handgun of suitable caliber to stop a large male suspect under the influence of drugs or alcohol (worst case scenario which I tend to refer to as the "Moro Warrior" scenario).

As a hunter of deer and upland game, I feel that the extent of my hunting requirements are a large caliber shotgun for upland game (using small shot) and a smaller caliber for slugs for deer. Essentially a simple 12 and 20g does just fine.

I never understood the fascination with assault weapons. To clarify, I'm using the term assault weapons as synonymous with the ar15 although that's not exactly what an assault weapon is but as that's becoming a bit of a looser term these days I thought I'd go ahead and just say that.

Therefore, I would be willing to concede that an average citizen doesn't really need that kind of weapon in order to adequately defend himself or his family, and unless a sworn peace officer or a security agent, unnecessary to own. I certainly don't think an 18 year old kid with an 18 year old brain which we know is not fully developed psychologically needs a weapon such as that. Kids of that age do not have full understanding of cause and effect nor do they have impulse control.

Illinois has on average tighter controls of getting credentials to purchase firearms than most states yet there are almost zero training requirements. Before being licensed to own a weapon I would be willing to concede that 20 to 40 hours of training on firearm safety and function should be required. Additional training or demonstration of competency for any particular model or platform you wish to purchase should also be required.

Extend waiting periods until the purchaser clears checks by local, state, and federal agencies. While we're at it run it thru INTERPOL as well because we don't need no fly or terrorist watch list individuals getting weapons either. If it takes 30 days so be it. If you really must have a gun faster than that... I kind of have to wonder why.

Any and all transfer must go thru a FFL. Absolutely no exceptions. None. For any reason. No stupid gun show exceptions, no private transfers none of that shit.

I truly don't believe magazine size is an issue. I've become quite adept in the handling of my firearms and swapping and empty for a full takes me less than a second at this point. Whether I have a Wilson combat 8 round magazine or a 17 round doublestack doesn't change the number of rounds I can fire in a minute significantly. We can talk about that if you like, I'm open to the conversation but I don't think this makes a difference.

The penalties for illegal possession of a firearm need to be stiffened significantly. I have heard of guys carrying and getting caught and essentially paying a fine. That's bullshit. If you have a weapon illegally I have to assume it's because you intend to commit a horrible crime with it. Mandatory sentences or much stiffer penalties are a big need.

These are my starting points. I'm willing to negotiate. Let's reach an accord.

Here is my offer.
1) 2nd amendment: gone.
2) Anyone who has owned or held a gun: Jailed.
3) Rural America: Banned.

I'm willing to negotiate.

If ______ people want to own a gun, they must attend an all-day class, pass a written test, and achieve at least 95% accuracy during a shooting-range test.

If ______ people want to own a gun, they must attend an all-day class, pass a written test, and achieve at least 95% accuracy during a shooting-range test. Then they have to pass a mental-health evaluation, which takes place at a hospital, and pass a background check, in which the government digs into their criminal record and interviews friends and family. They can only buy shotguns and air rifles — no handguns — and every three years they must retake the class and initial exam.

Nas saying that women should not be allowed to own guns. SAD!

Darko, where do you stand on registration for guns? Something similar to vehicle registration. IMO the training absolutely needs to be implemented, and you can run the background checks to coincide with the training...which takes time.

These are all incredibly reasonable requests. IMO they do not violate my Constitutional rights either.

To be an Illinois Insurance agent, you are required to have 100+ hours under your belt before you're even allowed to take the exams to get your P/C & L/H licenses ... and you have to be recertified every two years (no testing but still have to acquire 24, I think, hours of continuing education credits). There's more training and separate licensing if you want to sell LTC, not to mention scads more to do anything of value with investment and retirement products.

I think you need some extraordinary amount of hours to be a barber/stylist ... 1500 maybe?

I don't think arranging it so that folks are required to have at least 40 hours of training (using Darko's higher end #) is remotely unreasonable ... nor is it unreasonable to require re-certification on at least a biennial basis.

This is easily the most thoughtful response I've seen by a gun guy. Hopefully they'll eventually be MANY more reasonable people on BOTH sides.

+1

With all due respect Darkside, I don't understand why this tragedy has to be about "You". I honestly don't give a fuck about your right to bear arms. I wouldn't expect anyone to care about mine either.

If ______ people want to own a gun, they must attend an all-day class, pass a written test, and achieve at least 95% accuracy during a shooting-range test. Then they have to pass a mental-health evaluation, which takes place at a hospital, and pass a background check, in which the government digs into their criminal record and interviews friends and family. They can only buy shotguns and air rifles — no handguns — and every three years they must retake the class and initial exam.

You’re a terrible American.

Dude I had to recertify my NATE certification today, second time now since my career change... along with that something like 40 hours of training a year. So far to have a foid and associated hardware I've just had to pay $20.

This reaction seems pretty dramatic. Anger and Gun Culture often find themselves in the same room.