LOUD VOICES ARE BLARING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ABOUT WHAT OUR COUNTRY SHOULD DO ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN PERCEIVED AS "A GUN CRISIS", AND WELL THEY SHOULD.
RAISED VOICES AND FINGER POINTING WILL NOT GET US TO A RESOLUTION. WE NEED SANE, REASONABLE MEN AND WOMEN TO SIT AND HASH OUT WHAT MAY BE FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE CIVILITY AND DECORUM, ALONG WITH A SENSE OF THE REALITY OF BEING SAFE IN OUR HOMES, STREETS, TOWNS, CITIES, AND STATES.
I HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS:
MOUNT CAMERAS POINTED AT EVERY SCHOOL ENTRYWAY;
APPOINT A PERSON IN POSITION TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE VIEWS.
ACTIVATE "SILENT ALARMS" WITH A CODE SIGNAL TO INFORM STAFF OF PENDING DANGERS OR INHOUSE INTRUDERS.
PROVIDE MEANS FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF TO HAVE PROPER PROTECTION, INCLUDING HAVING FIREARMS IN AN EASY-TO-GET, SAFE PLACE, WHERE STUDENTS CANNOT ACCESS THEM.
ARRANGE FOR LOCAL POLICE TO HAVE INSTANT ACCESS TO THE CAMERA PICS AT THE TIME OF ACCESSES.
INSIST ON GUN APPLICANTS TAKING AND PASSING TUTORIALS EXPLAINING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNERSHIP AND THE PENALTIES FOR MISUSE.
REQUIRE THAT NO PERSON WITH A GRADE AVERAGE BELOW "C" BE PERMITTED TO OWN FIREARMS, UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY PROVE THEMSELVES RESPONSIBLE.
CHALLENGE GUN MANUFACTURERS TO DEVISE A MEANS TO TRACK EACH PISTOL AND/OR RIFLE VIA "GPS" OR SIMILAR DEVICE AS CELLPHONES EMPLOY.
LEGISLATE HARSHER PENALTIES, AND ENFORCE THEM, FOR ANYONE WHO MISUSES OR "LENDS" FIREARMS.
REQUIRE A NATIONAL DATABASE FOR ALL NEW PURCHASES AND THEIR OWNERS.
LICENSE AND RECORD ALL AMMUNITION PURCHASES.
INSTALL MORE CAMERAS IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS WHERE POSSIBILITIES ARE HIGH OR POTENTIAL FOR DANGER AND/OR CRIMES.
ENLIST "CITIZEN CONSTABLES" TO ENGAGE IN PATROLLING POENTIAL PROBLEM AREAS.
OF COURSE THESE ARE SIMPLY FUNDAMENTAL EFFORTS TO GET THE BALL ROLLING, BUT IF NOTHING ELSE, MAY ONE, SOME, OR ALL OF THEM SERVE TO DEVELOP ANIMATED DISCUSSION FOR COUNCILS OR GROUPS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO GUARANTEE AND PRESERVE THE SAFETY OF THOSE IN THEIR JURISDICTION.
FEELING THE PAIN, I REMAIN: C.W. (BILL) RICHEY
P.S. WHILE THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS ADDRESS THE OUTCROPPING OF THE ISSUES, WE DARE NOT FORGET THE UNDERLYING CAUSES THAT SEEM TO INEVITABLY AND REGRETABLY PROVIDE THE "FOUNDATIONS" FOR CRISES SITUATIONS:
1. FAILURE OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY TO TEACH AND REACH THE HOMES THAT MAY LACK THE UNDERLYING MORAL PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD ESTABLISH SOUND REASONING AND LIFESTYLES TO DISMISS WRONGDOINGS.
2. A LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT ARE NECESSARY FOR PARENTS TO PREVENT THEIR OFFSPRING FROM EVEN CONTEMPLATING COMMITTING CRIMES OF ANY NATURE.
3. TEACHERS, SCOUT LEADERS, AND OTHERS IN GROUP SETTINGS THAT SEEK TO DEVELOP VARIOUS LIFESKILLS IN YOUTH, SHOULD BE INCLUDING THE HARSH REALITY OF WHAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WOULD DO TO DESTROY ONE'S LIFE.
