Views changing on gun control

I’ve always been an advocate for the right of the people to keep and bear arms.   And, while I’ve never been a member of the National Rifle Association, I have often subscribed to their views.   Regulations of any kind on the public’s right to have a firearm is a slippery slope which will eventually lead to the confiscation of all guns.

In my younger years I felt the public needed guns to protect itself from the over reach of government.   The only way for the common person to keep government in control, was government’s fear that armed rebellion would result if it overstepped its mandate.

I no longer believe that and haven’t for many years.   The slow creep of government growth has been around for nearly 80 years and shows no signs of ending.   The people have come to accept government control of their lives as a normal process of evolution leading to European Socialism.  I see no evidence that the public in general finds this aspect of government troubling and no evidence whatsoever that they are concerned enough to resort to armed rebellion.   Therefore, my former belief is no longer valid.

The NRA’s concern about the slippery slope of confiscation has some merit.  We currently restrict gun ownership.  Convicted felons, those with domestic violence charges and others, are not allowed to buy, own or carry guns.   It’s just a matter of time before others are added to that list.

American citizens are not allowed to own automatic weapons and haven’t been since the 1930’s when the Tommy Gun was declared illegal in this country.   Currently a ban on assault weapons is in the works and will eventually become the law.

All of this is to say that I no longer believe that the average citizen needs guns to protect himself from government.   A vast majority of people in this country think that guns should only be used for hunting and for self-protection.   Any weapons outside of that realm are not needed and should be banned.

Views change as life changes.   The recent mass shootings have galvanized the American public to demand more gun control.  While that won’t do anything to stop mass shootings,  the public sees it as a solution.   I see no harm in banning the ownership of assault weapons or at least the registration of assault weapons.   It won’t negatively affect the vast majority of gun-owning Americans and will do little harm.

Except the slippery slope has gotten steeper and more slippery.