The Voice of one Ordinary British Citizen who loves, values and supports the United States of America.
It was far back in 1961 that as a very young man I visited the USA for the first time on a Scholarship to study Marketing. I landed in New York. Since then, on business, I have visited the USA on many occasions including a period of study at your wonderful Harvard Business School. I love the people and the Nation of America.
Like most people in Britain, I am saddened by the record of gun crimes and mass shootings over the last decade in particular. In fact, I am horrified. I want to help solve the impasse between your President, Congress and the National Rifle Association of America concerning Gun Laws. The present situation cannot continue !
Here are my views for further discussion.
A PROPOSED NEW NATIONAL GUN LAW 2018.
( Approved by the President, Congress and Supported by
The National Rifle Association ).
Some years ago, I wrote an article about Gun Law Policy in the USA.
I do not think that anyone took any notice of my suggestions.
So, the killings, massacres have gone on and on since I wrote my article. What a tragic pity ! So, here is my update after the recent Las Vegas record breaking massacre.
The background is bleak and any attempt at change looks impossible.
The National Rifle Association of America strongly support the ability of American Citizens to buy arms and ammunition and to bear guns of all types and magnitude of destructive capability.
They claim - rightly - that the Constitution of American gives every citizen this right and this has to be strongly upheld by the Government.
President Trump gets a lot of support from the NRA. Will he support a radical review of the Gun Laws in the USA ? This has to be seen. The USA Congress has had many wake up calls in the past decade. Will they ever react in a positive manner to help reduce mass killings and individual murders before it is too late?
The Arms Businesses in the USA like this stance of the NRA because they make lots of profit.
The other problem is the Internet. Anyone can buy anything on the Global Internet - Machine guns, High Velocity Rifles, Hand grenades, Rockets, Bomb Making materials and so on.
No wonder there is so much violence in the USA.
Is there any solution to the dangers of new killings ?
I say YES. Here it is with my logic.......
The Founding Fathers never meant for the Amendment to the Constitution for citizens to buy weapons of mass destruction because they meant Rifles for citizens to protect against enemies - not to kill their fellow citizens with Automatic Weapons because they had no 21st Century weaponry in those days. However, the NRA would never accept this argument. In my view, the NRA misinterpret the Amendment giving citizens " The right to bear arms." There is a need for a more up to date definition - to carry what type and how many weapons ?
THE EUREKYS SOLUTION
New Gun Law 2018.
1- The USA Gun Law must continue to allow citizens to bear arms under The American Constitution but defined in 2018 as ...." One Handgun and 6 bullets per Citizen " providing the citizen is of sound mind confirmed by a Registered State Doctor and is not a Criminal.
2- Registered Members of the NRA Rifle Clubs and Hunting Clubs can own One Hunting Rifle and One Handgun with 6 Bullets - but not High Velocity Rifles or Rocket propelled Rifles - and Matching Bullets, once again subject to a " Certificate of Sound Mind " and not being a Criminal. Each Club must keep up to date A Register of who owns what and details must also be transferred to the new National Register of Arms Ownership.
3- Automatic weapons of any kind will be banned for sale in the USA.
4- Shops currently selling Automatic weaponry must cease selling these items. The State will confiscate their stocks and recompense the Owners.
5- Manufacturing Companies of Automatic Weaponry and matching bullets must cease to supply the USA Domestic Market and they must have an approved export licence or import licence.
6- The purchase of any weapons including hand guns and bullets is made illegal from the Internet. Internet providers will have to withdraw advertisements on the internet for all weaponry. I realise that this is a difficult task currently but a solution to the problem must be found. Social Media and sites such as eBay must be brought within the Law. Second hand sales of prohibited weaponry is also to be deemed Unlawful.
7- The Sale and Purchase of Automatic Weapons and matching Bullets of any kind must be banned in the USA with heavy penalties for breaking this Law.
8- Private or Business Import of Automatic Weapons will be banned except for approved military usage by a Government Agency.
9- Soldiers leaving the Armed Forces must surrender all weapons except One Handgun and 6 bullets.....once again subject to a Certificate of Sound Mind by a State Doctor.
10- Robberies of Handguns and Bullets from Shops and Warehouses will carry a maximum jail sentence of 30 years.
11- An Amnesty of 1 Year for Citizens to surrender Automatic Weapons will be granted. The State will reimburse the owners.
Reasonable people will say......
A- The NRA have their rights to bear arms preserved under the 18th Century Constitution but updated for the scenarios in the 21st Century.
B- The situation in the 21st Century with arms developments is fully recognised.
C- People with mental disturbances will not be able to purchase arms.
D- Criminals will not be able to purchase guns of mass destruction .
E- The USA Citizen can protect against break ins and attacks of all kinds.
F- Arms manufactures and retailers will be reviewed on a Regular basis by a Special Arms Police Force - The SAPF.
G- A National Arms Purchase Register - The NAPR will monitor the purchase of all Handguns and Bullets. If a name appears who has multiple gun purchases, the owner will be prosecuted and the Supplier of the guns.
H- A Citizen who purchases One Handgun and Six Bullets must present a Purchase Approved Certificate. The Approved Retailer must have his Licence Number easily visible on the Handgun or Hunting Gun for the purposes of traceability.
I- THE BIG BONUS SHOULD BE....NO MORE MASSACRES AND REDUCED ILLEGAL KILLINGS ON A GROTESQUE SCALE IN THE USA.
J- The Police Forces will continue to bear arms suitable to maintain Law and Order.
K- The National Guard will continue to be armed.
L- Any Member of the Police Forces or National Guard who leaves service must give up all weaponry unless allowed under the terms of the New Gun Law as specified above.
M- No person will be allowed into the USA with a gun or bullets of any kind except Approved Bodyguards of United Nations Members.
However, these too must be registered with a USA Authorities.
N- The United Nations must support the new USA Gun Laws 2018 in a manner to prevent any abuse. The General Assembly must pass a Resolution supporting the USA Government.
Has anyone else got better ideas to stop the slaughter, fear and sadness ?
THE CHALLENGES FOR AMERICA
Q1- Will the NRA accept this honourable and sensible compromise ?
Q2- Will the USA Arms Industry put lives before Profits ?
Q3- Will the President and Congress of the USA be brave enough to pass this New Gun Law in 2018 / 2019 ?
Q4- Surely, the Status Quo is totally unacceptable ?
Ray Williams
EUREKYS
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