Democratic Party 2016 Platform Statement Regarding Gun Violence
With 33,000 Americans dying every year, Democrats believe that we must finally take sensible action to address gun violence. While responsible gun ownership is part of the fabric of many communities, too many families in America have suffered from gun violence. We can respect the rights of responsible gun owners while keeping our communities safe. To build on the success of the lifesaving Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, we will expand and strengthen background checks and close dangerous loopholes in our current laws; repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to revoke the dangerous legal immunity protections gun makers and sellers now enjoy; and keep weapons of warsuch as assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines (LCAM's)off our streets. We will fight back against attempts to make it harder for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to revoke federal licenses from law breaking gun dealers, and ensure guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists, intimate partner abusers, other violent criminals, and those with severe mental health issues. There is insufficient research on effective gun prevention policies, which is why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must have the resources it needs to study gun violence as a public health issue.
https://www.democrats.org/party-platform#gun-violence
You will note that the word "confiscation" does not appear anywhere in the statement. When I referred to "REAL" gun control advocates in another thread, I was referencing Democratic gun control advocates and the Democratic Party platform. Most mainstream gun control groups are NOT calling for confiscation of existing legally owned guns, and neither is the Democratic Party.
Strengthening and expanding background checks, holding gun manufacturers and dealers accountable, and controlling who can purchase guns will go far in reducing the current gun violence epidemic in our country.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)But in the US, money is speech.
billh58
(6,642 posts)has a far more difficult situation than Australia had in sheer magnitude of guns and gun owners. The Australian solution could work in the USA, but it would be an extremely divisive battle with a questionable outcome.
I believe that the delegates who framed the Democratic Party response to the gun violence epidemic in this country are focusing on what is actually doable, with an eye toward incremental steps in future platforms statements.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Amishman
(5,832 posts)Australia's buyback netted 650,000 guns. Which sounds like a lot until it's compared against US sales. That is less than 2 weeks of gun sales in the US. 200k guns were sold on Black Friday alone
Background checks
Safe storage
Safety training
Mandatory reporting of stolen guns
These are the best solutions for the US situation
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Amishman
(5,832 posts)Though I think the background check system should be opened to all to use for the mandated checks, gun dealers shouldn't be able to use them as a cash cow. Sell a gun without a check? Criminal charges and civil liability for any crimes committed with it. Make them want to do the check to cover their own ass.
Registration would be helpful but I don't know how to deal with duplicate serial numbers or guns with no number at all.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Amishman
(5,832 posts)serial numbers weren't required of manufacturers until the 60's, millions were made legitimately without them
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)but new weapons should be required to have a serial number and be registered.
BigmanPigman
(52,357 posts)Since most domestic violence deaths are done by men, and it is usually with a gun, the Canadian government requires the person who wants a gun must obtain written permission from his current and former spouses. Michael Moore talked about it on Real Time last week.
kelly1mm
(5,413 posts)If they lived together in the past 2 years OR show they had been notified. They do not need 'permission' exactly. Plus it only goes like I said back 2 years. Not a bad rule overall.