GUNS: Ban any weapon you want

Am I missing something? I don’t understand why we as a nation aren’t having the most obvious argument about gun control. Instead, all I see in the news is either a person with a picket sign claiming it’s their right or the NRA saying we should have guns in schools. Who knows what politicians will do or say next?

To my discredit, I do not own a gun, we didn’t hunt growing up and I don’t understand the fascination with firearms that so many Americans seem to have. But I would say I have a good understanding of the 2nd Amendment and I also feel I have the most sensible argument about gun control.

Here it is: I’m OK with the US government banning any weapon they like, so long as they can’t have it either… That’s it!

The purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to allow the people to defend themselves against an overbearing government. The 2nd Amendment isn’t intended to allow our citizens to use guns against each other. Shooting someone is illegal. We already have regulation stating that.

So I’ve presented my debate to various friends and family for test runs and the first question is usually, “What about nuclear bombs?”

The answer is, “No, I don’t think any citizen should have a nuclear bomb. Nor do I think any government should have a nuclear bomb.” See how that works? I’m a big fan of nuclear weapons disarmament and I’ve yet to hear anyone convince me that the world is better with nukes.

I am being somewhat cheeky with my argument. Our nation’s issue with gun violence, as others have put so eloquently, is that we have a mental health problem disguised as a gun problem. We are entitled to bear arms and there’s a reason for that.

To me, it’s all about a level playing field when a population must protect itself from tyranny. If we all want to go back to muzzle loaders I’m game, so long as everyone’s carrying the same thing. The thing is, Syria is a real place. God forbid the United States should ever be caught in that situation. The 2nd Amendment is intended to insure that we don’t.

CRAIG WILCOX

Coeur d’Alene