Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

billh58

(6,642 posts)
Tue Nov 14, 2017, 05:47 PM Nov 2017

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 war—such 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.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
1. Australia showed another way after the Port Arthur massacre.
Tue Nov 14, 2017, 05:48 PM
Nov 2017

But in the US, money is speech.

billh58

(6,642 posts)
2. I agree, but the USA
Tue Nov 14, 2017, 05:54 PM
Nov 2017

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.

Amishman

(5,832 posts)
6. Australia isn't a good example because of the numbers involved.
Tue Nov 28, 2017, 02:09 PM
Nov 2017

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

Amishman

(5,832 posts)
8. Universal background checks is what I had meant
Tue Nov 28, 2017, 04:34 PM
Nov 2017

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.

Amishman

(5,832 posts)
10. doesn't seem right, it might not be the owner's fault
Tue Nov 28, 2017, 07:06 PM
Nov 2017

serial numbers weren't required of manufacturers until the 60's, millions were made legitimately without them

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
11. Antique weapons could be an exception,
Tue Nov 28, 2017, 07:13 PM
Nov 2017

but new weapons should be required to have a serial number and be registered.

BigmanPigman

(52,357 posts)
4. I like what they do in Canada.
Tue Nov 14, 2017, 06:00 PM
Nov 2017

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)
5. That is not quite correct, they need the signature of a spouse/partner only
Tue Nov 14, 2017, 07:15 PM
Nov 2017

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.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control Reform Activism»Democratic Party 2016 Pla...