Thankfully, all of these scenarios are pretty rare. But that makes it harder to have constructive discussions about what rules would make people safer (leaving aside the debates about what rules are permitted/forbidden under our system of government). - albaby

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I think it is reasonable to assume the vast vast very vast majority of gun deaths result from the activities of criminals, crazy people, and careless gun owners. I think the vast vast very vast majority of the 100 million plus gun owners are responsible law abiding citizens.

Why is impossible to have constructive discussions? The problem as I see it is the proposals for additional* gun controls place additional burdens on the law abiding who by definition would comply without demonstrating how the regulation would be effective on the criminals, crazies, and careless. So periodically a regulation passes, gun death continue, so the answer has to be to layer on more regulations. This creates a spiral that can only end in total confiscation or as close to as constitutionally allowed, in the face of potential SCOTUS packing.

I don't claim to have the complete answer but I feel that mental health intervention, early interdiction of criminal behavior, and red flag laws are part of the solution. Disaffected youth and hopelessness among the inner city poor are better issues to focus on rather than how many guns I am allowed to possess. But counting my gun is easy and dealing with underlying societal issues is hard. My two cents. Flame away.


* including of the word "additional" is important because sometimes the dialogue suggests there are hardly any controls already