Quote (gnarjay @ Oct 26 2023 04:29pm)
making it harder to access guns is a really good starting point, its easier to buy a gun than it is to vote in the majority of states.
there should be a mandatory mental health test and background check for starters
I'll agree that it's pretty easy to legally purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer, but I'll disagree that it's easier than voting.
Problem is that it's very easy to obtain/sell a gun outside licensed dealers though, so maybe implementing some sort of process for selling a gun to say a friend or a friend of a friend (and punishment if not followed).
I agree with the mental health check, but I believe background checks are conducted through FBI for firearm purchases (maybe I'm wrong or it's a state by state law decision) and I'm not sure if that's bounced off any sort of mental health database; however, I know it's illegal for someone that has been diagnosed with mental illness or has been committed to a mental institution to own firearms and/or ammunition but not sure how this is enforced/regulated - there's no database/catalog of "this person with mental health owns/owned X, Y, Z guns before mental diagnostic/committing and shouldn't".
I've not bought a gun in a long time so can't remember the process but you definitely fill out a form and your information is checked against some sort of database to ensure you're not a convicted felon, fugitive, etc