How to reduce gun violence in the US?

[cclaxton]

Let's set aside suicides and accidents and just focus on gun violence. I am not interested in the debate...just the poll. Select all that apply.

We can never stop gun violence, but could possibly be reduced. Use your own judgement about whether it would be Constitutional:

There are no Constitutional actions that can be taken to reduce gun violence
Better enforcement of existing gun laws and restrictions
Better/more police enforcement in communities against ordinary crimes (assault, battery, grand theft, fraud, rape, etc.)
Increased conviction rates and longer prison terms
Improve rehabilitation services for convicts
Better parole supervision
Mental health services for anyone who needs it
Improved Background checks for purchasing handguns
Improved Background checks for purchasing all firearms
Improving economies of poor communities to provide more jobs and opportunities
Restrictions on the sale of high capacity magazines
Restrictions on the sale of assault weapons
Restrictions on the sale of handguns
Licensing system for handgun owners that requires proficiency, safety, background checks, etc.
Better training for firearms owners
Registration of all firearms
Prohibit handguns for everyone except LE and ex-LE
Restrict sales of ammunition
Public Awareness campaign to help the public anonymously report mentally ill people and illegal gun owners
Increased penalties for straw purchasers of guns
Public Awareness campaign on how to identify behavior that may lead to violence
Counseling and mental health services targeted at high-risk populations
Encourage more people to carry concealed
Encourage more people to carry in the open
Require more gun buy-back programs
I don't know, it is a difficult problem to fix
Public Awareness campaign to improve moral character and moral values

CC

[orionz06]

What is gun violence? Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to determine what specifically you are referring to. Gun violence is all sorts of things and depends on who made the table or graph.

[BWT]

Dude, where have you been?

What about the bombings and mass stabbings?

I know you want required training, etc. but I'd remind you it's a freedom.

It's a forum, there's going to be discussion.

ETA: I'd say more gun ownership and interest in developing a better society, that's more charitable, family-oriented, etc. would improve things.

[WDW]

There is no "gun violence" just violence. Also, hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's an ingrained part of human nature. It cannot be prevented or controlled, only reacted to. How after 6,000+ yrs of recorded human history we have been unable to grasp this simple concept is beyond me.

[bdcheung]

Where's the option to Develop stronger cultural value in the nuclear family?

Someone on Facebook asked me, "Where DO we start?"

My response:

Start at home, with the nuclear family. Start by looking at what our elected officials (who, at a national and local level, are supposed to represent our beliefs) vote for and value in their legislation. Start by looking at the legislation that they value and trumpet, and by asking yourself, "What does this do to promote and protect the family?"

Start by questioning "Why?" when you learn that in more than 50% of American households with children under 5, all of the adults work outside the home and there is no full-time stay-at-home caregiver.

I think we start by putting a greater value on the family. I think we start by getting parents back in touch with their children. Parents have a responsibility to ask questions; to try and find out what's going on in their kids' lives; to be annoying and somewhat overbearing. We start by putting the family first.

[BaiHu]

I would add one more thing to this poll.

We have Sex Ed in HS, a natural, human right.

We have Drug/Alcohol prevention, which is not a 'right' and illegal and/or illegal at HS ages.

We have Driver's Ed, which is a privilege and not a 'right', especially for HS ages.

Why don't we have a Firearms Ed program, nationwide, that teaches responsibility, safety, etc for a Constitutional Right??!!??

[Tamara]

Why the obsession with gun violence specifically and not violence in general?

[JAD]

And why are we in a hurry to 'do something' about a problem that's steadily getting better and doesn't affect that many people? We -- if we is the government -- do way, way too much right now. We need to focus on doing less with less, and getting out of the way.

[TCinVA]

Why the obsession with gun violence specifically and not violence in general?

Agreed. I've been threatened with a knife and it was no more pleasant than being threatened with a gun.

[Tamara]

And why are we in a hurry to 'do something' about a problem that's steadily getting better and doesn't affect that many people?

The people on the Today show told me it's a scourge and an epidemic that affects everyone. Are you saying you're smarter than Matt Lauer?