I only just now happened to stumble onto this thread, and want to put in my 2¢. I have had a class III license for a long time. What is a class III license? It allowes me to own fully, yes FULLY automatic weapons, silencers (suppressors), and other such things that do not even use clips- they are belt fed. People think fully automatic weapons are banned, well, yes and no. First weapons made outside of the USA were restricted, then weapons made after 1986 were restricted. Those made before 1986 (a finite number) are legal to own. It is quite a process and expense, as well as a huge responsibility to own one, but not illegal. Laws were passed in 1934 (or about then) to restrict the sale of fully automatic machineguns. Since that time there have been (I believe the latest stats are) only 4 murders committed using legally obtained machineguns. Many guns have been illegally altered to fire in fully automatic mode and used by criminals. So, massive firepower can be owned by responsible law abiding citizens. Criminals and illegal weapons cannot be regulated.

The media, likes to ad drama to a story (and many people do not know the difference) by using words like assault, military, automatic, fully automatic, or machinegun to their story, along with ‘extended magazines’ to stir public emotion. A solution will not be found using emotion and knee-jerk reaction, but clear reason.

Does it take an automatic weapon to kill large numbers of people? No. If a man was carrying multiple weapons, multiple 10 round clips, or other ways around, the same could be achieved. Assault weapon? Some weapons are built for assault, but any weapon can be used to assault.

Can guns be used to prevent crime? Absolutely. What if the pilots on the 9/11 aircraft had been armed? The terrorists only had box cutters. Guns would have been harder to get onboard. Even then, of the 2 pilots, one might have been spared, saving the plane and countless lives.

If one of the teachers had been carrying a gun, they would have had an option to use it. They may or may not have been successful, but they would have had an option they did not have if unarmed.

Why is there such a ‘gun nut’ stigma given to concealed handgun carry people? Let’s first look at the gun, a person wearing a gun such as a law enforcement officer does not strike fear in people, yet some people are fearful of CHL holders. Why? People know law enforcement officers have had in-depth background and physiological testing and have been extensively trained in use and resistance to use lethal force if possible. CHL holders, not so much. If CHL holders were to have to meet a higher standard (such as police), public sentiment would be different. It would be like having a police force everywhere. People would feel safe and criminals threatened.

It is so easy to get a gun in Texas almost anyone with a pulse can do it. I think we need a bit more standards met. Another thing is stopping how criminals get guns. Gun manufactures do not have two assembly lines, legal and illegal. Guns should be tracked like automobiles, gun owners should be accountable for safe keeping, and gun owners should (possibly) be required to have liability insurance for damage caused by their weapons. Gun laws should be strictly enforced and penalties raised in certain situations.

If the guns used in the school shooting were protected from unauthorized use (kept in a safe), it would have been a hurdle, if the teacher had been armed it would have been another hurdle. People have and use dangerous things every day, so things are in place to protect the misuse of them. Guns are no different. Protection of use are what is needed. Even if all guns and ammunition were banned and recalled tomorrow, there would still be plenty out there. Criminals will be the last ones to give them up.

I agree with the catch phrase, “ It takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun.” We don’t need the wild west in our society, we need morals and civility in our society- then we would not need guns (or weapons) at all.

Guns don't kill people, people kill people..... Wrong FLYING BULLETS kill people..