Once again I'm going to address guns and gun control. I think a reasonable comparison can be made between automobiles and guns. Some pro gun folks argue that car accidents cause far more deaths than guns yet no one is talking about banning cars. I will grant them that point. I do think they miss the point that in attempting to deal with the death rate from automobile accidents we have required seat belts, padded dash boards, collapsible stealing columns, airbags and drivers licenses. Why can't we require the same public health approach to guns and gun violence? Today you can buy a gun from another individual without a background check. There is also the gun show loophole that allows for sales without a background check. You cannot legally operate a car without getting a license and proving to an examiner that you can operate the vehicle safely. It would seem reasonable and prudent to require education, training and licensing to own and/or possess a firearm. Insurance is also required for vehicles, why not for guns? It would seem appropriate to require at least liability insurance. I'm sure if you get insurance companies involved there would be training required before a policy would be issued. So, to me, it is that simple. Background checks, licensed users, insurance. Would it have prevented Sandy Hook or the recent carnage in Oregon? Maybe not, but consider these two facts. In 2013 more preschoolers were shot to death (82) than police officers killed in the line of duty (27). The other fact is that on an average day in America 92 people die from guns. Since 1970 more Americans have died from guns than have been killed in all United States wars dating back to the American Revolution. There have been fewer than 1.4 million war deaths since 1775 with more than half occurring during the Civil War. Since 1970 more than 1.45 million gun deaths have occurred in the United States. That number includes murders, suicides and accidental gun deaths. We must do something. Doesn't the picture below say something about our questionable priorities?
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