A lot of people who attempt to take their own life are sending a cry for help. But if you use a gun, then you're more likely to succeed in the attempt whether you really mean it or not. Would they eventually succeed if a gun wasn't available?
Maybe.
But there might at least be time in which to intervene, if such an effective method was less readily available.
And you should note that at no point have I ever proposed banning guns.
My perfect gun world:
1. You can have a gun - it will be semi automatic with a clip of no more than 10 rounds, be it shotgun, long gun or pistol
2. You have to have a background check
3. Certain categories of mental and physical illness will preclude you from having a gun
4. You will have to refresh the background check periodically
5. You will have to undertake and pass a basic course in gun safety and maintenance (with additional requirements if you want to make your own ammo, mainly centred around making rounds that won't blow your face off)
6. There will be a national gun register, and maintaining this will be part of the deal when you buy or sell a gun
7. Criminal record? No gun for you
8. You will have a gun case and you will keep your guns and ammunition in it. If you want a gun for home defence, well, that's unfortunate. The police will just shoot you when you answer the door with gun in hand anyway
6. That's it. Go shoot stuff. Don't point it at anything you shouldn't.
Maybe.
But there might at least be time in which to intervene, if such an effective method was less readily available.
And you should note that at no point have I ever proposed banning guns.
My perfect gun world:
1. You can have a gun - it will be semi automatic with a clip of no more than 10 rounds, be it shotgun, long gun or pistol
2. You have to have a background check
3. Certain categories of mental and physical illness will preclude you from having a gun
4. You will have to refresh the background check periodically
5. You will have to undertake and pass a basic course in gun safety and maintenance (with additional requirements if you want to make your own ammo, mainly centred around making rounds that won't blow your face off)
6. There will be a national gun register, and maintaining this will be part of the deal when you buy or sell a gun
7. Criminal record? No gun for you
8. You will have a gun case and you will keep your guns and ammunition in it. If you want a gun for home defence, well, that's unfortunate. The police will just shoot you when you answer the door with gun in hand anyway
6. That's it. Go shoot stuff. Don't point it at anything you shouldn't.