Ban Ammo?

Just a thought. America is rapidly approaching one gun for every person. That would be 330 million guns.


We know guns are used in many robberies, assaults and killings. They are tools of violence. That’s not what they were meant for; no, they were meant to protect safety and peace among those who could not protect themselves from stronger attackers.


The story of guns in America, however, is one of violence. Handguns, especially, are the center of the story. Long guns – rifles – are meant for hunting game to eat. Hunting remains a large sport and supports rifle sales. That’s OK by me. Sport yes; violence against others, no.


So, what about the title questioning ammunition?


I had a friend who recently died at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. His position on guns bounced between two actions. First was buy back every gun and destroy them. The second was controlling the sale and manufacture of ammunition.


His point was logical. If the gun buyback program doesn’t work to cut gun deaths by half each year, then restrict ammo sales. Make it so costly that gun use becomes prohibitive. Keep it loaded for immediate protection, but not for frequent use.


I think we should consider both of these programs. We don’t need vigilante justice in our nation. We don’t need runaway handgun violence. We need to do something about that.


The whole world is watching America act stupid on guns. Isn’t it time to end this tragedy?


June 28, 2020