The Real Problem Is Handguns

The chart above is from the blog called Mikeb302000. It shows the weapons that were used to commit murder in the United States in 2010. While I am in favor of banning the sale (and possession) of military style assault weapons (because they are the weapon of choice for mass killers), it is obvious that there is a weapon that kills far more people in this country every year than assault weapons do -- the handgun. And while rifles and shotguns do have a legitimate sporting use, handguns really do not. They have one use -- to kill other human being, and they are very good for doing that.

It is to control the purchase of handguns that we most need to close the loopholes in the background check laws in this country. Almost anyone, even criminals and persons with a dangerous mental illness, can go to gun shows or make other private purchases and get a handguns whenever they want -- with no waiting period and no background check. In fact, about 40% of all gun sales are done in this manner. Doesn't it make sense to close that loophole? Would that really put an unreasonable burden on decent Americans who want to buy or sell a gun?

I grew up in rural Texas, and everyone I knew (including my own father) owned a firearm. I do not support taking weapons away from decent law-abiding citizens. But I do support denying the ability to purchase a weapon to criminals (including domestic abusers) and people who pose a serious danger to their fellow citizens (like the dangerously mentally ill). Closing the background check loopholes won't completely eliminate murders in this country -- but I do believe it could save the lives of thousands of Americans each year (without abusing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding people). How can anyone be against that kind of reasonable and constitutional law?