LJ Idol Presents:

If I came off as defensive or anything, I'm really sorry! I knew you didn't mean me. Most people I've talked to who are calling for gun control just want tighter enforcement, not criminalization of all gun ownership.

But I mean, wanting to ban private gun ownership is a valid opinion to have, too--even if the Second Amendment was really meant to entitle private citizens to own guns (I know some people believe it was not meant that way), it doesn't mean that over 200 years later, with a country this size, it's still a good idea. I'm not really one of those "you can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" gun owners. Although I live in the South, so I know some. XD

I think it's definitely worth considering how we can prevent guns from falling into the hands of, well, teenagers, for one. How and why are kids getting these guns and then managing to smuggle them into school? I mean, one pretty decent argument for complete banning of private gun ownership (which I know is not what you advocated above) is that it might make it harder for minors to obtain guns. Well, some minors in some areas. Maybe?

The mental illness thing is such a hard issue. I mean, how do you judge whether someone is mentally ill? I'm about six flavors of nuts, but I'm not likely to get violent with anyone. You could go by documented history of violent behavior, but does that end up being perverted the way the sex offender laws have?

I'm totally rambling, sorry. I just think there are so many layers because the fact of these shootings means there is something really broken in this country and I have no idea how to fix it. It almost feels like a really extreme change like outlawing private gun ownership is the only thing that would do much, unless we can find and fix the underlying causes.