What big ideas can help America solve its most pressing problems? In an ongoing project, Yahoo News is soliciting creative, outside-the-box and possibly controversial (but still credible ) solutions. Here's one about gun control.
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COMMENTARY | The nation is dealing with unemployment, fiscal issues, health care, and many more problems, but it seems the major task at hand right now is dealing with the gun issue and crime. Our nation has seen some of the worst mass shootings in recent years with the Virginia Tech shootings, the Aurora massacre, and the Sandy Hook tragedy. So while everyone is discussing whether Americans should be able to possess guns, the real argument should be about regulation.
Adventurous solution to crime and gun control
While there will always be crime, the effects of gun violence has to be minimized. One mass shooting is too many, and we had 16 in 2012. Without a big solution, nothing will change. So, instead of taking away gun rights, I say let's regulate who has a gun more closely, and track the guns. First, I would suggest building a tracking chip into all guns that were linked to computer systems that would alert security near public buildings. So if a gun approached a school within so many feet, there would be time to investigate the situation or lock down the school before it became deadly.
In addition to tracking guns, there should be a clearance before buying one. A mental health exam for the owner and all other people in the household should be conducted before clearing anyone to own a gun. And if any gun laws were broken, the guns should be taken away.
Gun insurance
Because of the unjustified violence guns bring, owners should be required to carry insurance on the guns to help pay for the security measures needed to help track the guns in public places. This would also help eliminate some users that should not have guns from acquiring one. If the insurance was not being paid for, the gun would be taken away. Some of the revenue from the sale of guns should also be used to help provide security for public buildings.
Of course, this would not completely solve the gun crisis, but it would make a big impact on public safety. Improving health care for people would also help in the cases of the mentally ill and hopeless.