Food for thought

In America, there are commonly accepted rules, regulations and laws to own and operate a motor vehicle. You must be of responsible age, and qualify for a driver's license. You must take a written test of the law and rules of the road and prove your skills behind the wheel before a license is granted. You must also have your eyes examined. Application for the license requires proof of age, identity and legal address and stating your gender. Signing the application implies your agreement to operate within the law and renew your license at the required time. Driving without your license in your possession has penalties. You are also required to carry proof of insurance should you cause harm to someone else or damage to their property. To own a vehicle, you must pay tax and registration fees each year and prove the vehicle is safe to operate and non polluting. You must have your vehicle license plate or tag in full view of other drivers and law enforcement. Everyone agrees to abide by the traffic rules of the road or is penalized for not doing so. Everyone agrees that this is for the greater good. No one argues that their constitutional rights are being violated regarding their pursuit of happiness.

Yet, when it comes to gun control for the greater good of all, so many people are up in arms. A liquor license is more difficult to obtain than a gun license. So is a massage therapy license. After all, you might rub someone the wrong way. You need special licensing to sell hot dogs on the corner. You might kill someone with an improperly cooked frankfurter. In most neighborhoods you aren't allowed to have hives and keep bees. Someone might get stung and have an allergic reaction. But you can stockpile ammunition and keep as many guns as you want.

For the record, I am not against guns. We have one in our own home after years of service as a police officer. Several members of my family own guns. The largest collector has a special safe and is a competitive shooter and champion marksman.. Several friends are hunters and I have enjoyed pheasant and roast duck as a benefit. It does strike fear in my heart however, to think of the assault rifles prevalent in cities just across the bridge from us. Every week we hear of innocent children caught in crossfire. Yes, there will always be illegal weapons on the market. But do we have to make it easier to stockpile them legally? A waiting period and background check doesn't seem so unreasonable for the greater good. Limits on magazines and assault rifles will give police a fighting change to serve and protect the innocent. And maybe even requiring an eye test to prove gun owners can see clearly who they are shooting at. After all, it is for the greater good.