Common sense gun laws
The demonstrations on Kauai and around the world seeking common sense rules for the acquisition of firearms has had an effect on and inspired me to think about and carry on the conversation.
It is believed that the right to possess firearms pre-existed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and that the Constitution did not create this right. The Constitution’s provisions restrict the government’s ability to infringe on this right. It’s one of those unalienable rights of citizens who have possessed firearms long before the ratification of the Constitution. Authority for this is found in Amendment IX which reads: “The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” Our Constitution was designed to prevent the abuses of the English kings. For example, King James II was a Catholic and ruled at the time Catholics and Protestants were killing each other. To give an advantage to the Catholics, he took away the guns of the Protestants.
Firearms are not the problem. They are tools that can be used for good or evil. Like knives, box cutters, baseball bats, etc., all of which have been used as weapons of evil. The problem is keeping firearms out of the hands of people who intend to or commit evil acts.
Here are some suggestions for bringing common sense to our gun laws:
1. AGE. The age to acquire any firearm should be 21. That is the age society has determined to be the age a person is allowed to purchase a potentially dangerous substance like alcohol and tobacco products.
2. QUALIFICATION. Background checks into a prospective gun purchaser’s mental and criminal history and fanatical beliefs.
3. ASSAULT WEAPONS. Assault weapons, automatic and semi-automatic, and large capacity magazines are military weapons and should be restricted to military use.
4. TRAINING AND TESTING. Prospective gun purchasers should be required to complete a course of training in the proper handling and use of firearms. There should be exams. We do this for operating motor vehicles and boats.
5. SAFEKEEPING. Firearms should be kept safely in the home and in transit. They should be locked and kept away from children.
Unfortunately, notwithstanding the above common sense rules, criminals and mentally ill folks may still acquire firearms for their evil deeds. Does this mean we should do nothing? Absolutely not! The rules will simply reduce the opportunities for evil persons to acquire firearms. Laws are broken every day, but we don’t eliminate them. The above suggestions create opportunities to identify criminal and mentally ill and fanatical folks and may prevent them from getting their hands on firearms.
Jim Jung, Kapaa
Gabbard sets new standard
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard recently gave another town hall via telephone. I really appreciate her taking time to meet with the people of Hawaii. In recent years I have personally lost interest in politics and voting, but ever since hearing from, meeting, and talking story with Tulsi my feelings have changed. I’ve never known a politician to take time to visit the people they represent and to sit down with them, hear their troubles, and take this into consideration when introducing bills and taking position on important subjects.
I really feel Tulsi is setting a new standard for politicians and hope that others take note and make an effort to do the same. Tulsi is like a sister to me so it feels good knowing there is ohana (family) in DC representing the people of Hawaii with genuine Aloha.
Max Nuccio, Anahola
Mr Jung, thank you for a very thoughtful letter. I absolutely agree with you!
Nicely stated, Jim Jung — well thought-out and presented.
You will be attacked by Neanderthals who will shriek “You don’t know what an assault weapon is.” Do not let their attempt to change the subject bother you. These are the same people who claim “The problem is not guns, it’s the mentally ill,” but when it comes to spending social capital to help mentally ill people, say “No — we can’t afford it; we have to spend our money on a border wall and giving tax cuts to the ultra-donors.”
tulsi gabb
bad news, this wahine. remember when she was on the Honolulu city council? she introduced the bill that changed private property law on Oahu. if you lost your property, it was still yours, until the law she wrote that if the city found it on public property for 1 day, or if the park is closed, too bad. you lost it. city can take it. ACLU had to fight it to amend this. she also supports making you a criminal if you fall asleep at a park or sit down on the sidewalk! although she wore maple leaves on her collar in the National Guard, she went against Commander in Chief Barry’s moves against ISIS in Iraq! No Can!
if she didn’t surf, i would totally write her off!