My gun control" rules:

1. Quit reading/interpreting the Constitution or heaven forbid the Bill of Rights with 1789 eyes. Its 2012 for Gods sake. Call your legislators. It's why we have such a cool "amendment" process. "Keep and bear arms." Fine, I like that. But it doesn't say what type and it surely doesnt say without regulation, registration or control. Are you as an individual, really a militia? Enough of this. Fix it so we dont need discuss it anymore. There is middle, consensus ground. Write immediately to your elected moron of choice. Theyll commission a study etc. Followed by a poll. But, really, enough already. Get it cleared up; send it to the Supremes etc. 2. Unless you're in the military, police services etc. there is no (compelling) need to own an AR, AK, ZIP, STEN, GREESE or Uzi...they're called "assault weapons" for good reasons. Same rule with armor piercing ammunition. Want to have one/some of these? Cool, the military, active and reserve, is always looking for members. Join up. Volunteer. By the way, in that line of work the other side shoots back! Just saying... 3. Want to buy a shotgun or rifle (sure, a handgun even) for hunting/sporting purposes? Great! Me too! But, first show your every-five-year-renewed and background-checked Firearms License AND your gun safety course certification. The NRA runs great programs btw. One of their stated purposes. It's insane that such a pre-license course isn't mandatory across the land. Analog? If you as an adult that has been driving a car for a long time let your license expire, well, guess what? Its back to drivers education classes you MUST go. Happened to me. Learners permit and all. Message: there is much to learn about firearms. There is much to learn about individuals that wish to own them too and we should all be for that. 4. Face-to-face purchase of the firearm AND the damned ammunition (no internet) unless you have a registered and previously qualified need/reason that is determined to be legitimate. Otherwise, get your ass down to the store, show your id, get printed, wait five minutes and come out from the shadows. There you go. Many military, law enforcement folks are on this list. A few pals strongly left and a few equally firm on the right too. A few politicians. Guns don't kill. People with guns kill. And when they do, we as a society wring our hands, point at one another, bleat and moan, blame too much legislation and not enough, demand change, condemn and defend and Then it happens again. Bad cycle folks. Pretty bad cycle for a country as sensational as this to be defined by (horrifically) sensational events. I have owned quite a few guns. And, I've been shot. Taking a 5.56 NATO in the upper arm is no fun. Just saying Im done. Wes