Having seen the horrors of WWI machine guns and “tommy” guns, America successfully banned automatic weapons. Now, with the horror of mass shootings since Columbine, we should ban semiautomatics and allow only a very short window in which to voluntarily turn in such guns. Along with the ban enact law that specifies anyone so much as carrying a semiauto is subject to consequences similar to Texas and other state’s legalizing and encouraging adults to sue abortion providers and enablers.) As in Australia, offer to refund taxes paid on guns which are now banned. Enlist the NRA to help uninformed or initially stubborn owners of semiautomatic guns safely turn in dismantled guns after the law’s initial deadline.
Return to bolt-action, three-shot magazine rifles and shotguns for hunting with single shot pistols the norm except under very limited conditions. Perhaps establish regulated shooting ranges which keep rental semiautomatic guns under lock and key for use on the range. It is, after all, fun to fire semiautos. But they’re of no use in hunting. So let them be limited to confined shooting ranges.
Paul Heckel
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
