From Newtown Forward...

Just getting some thoughts out there.

1) Establish better monitoring systems and sensible limitations on ownership:
A) Require mandatory background checks - using a constantly-updated database for all gun purchases, including those at gun shows and in other private transactions.  Thanks to the miracle of the internet, this is not a very time-consuming task.  Failure to do so will result in prosecution for both the seller and buyer.

 B) Require the registration of all firearms, if not nationally, then at the state level or locally.  This registration must be transferred when a gun changes hands, just like for cars and houses (vehicle registration and deeds).  Failure to do so results in prosecution.  If we have a general idea of where all legally-registered firearms are at any given moment, I think that would help us all.

C) Require permits for both open and concealed carry in all states.  Permits must be renewed periodically (every five years seems fair).  In order to obtain a permit, applicants must pass a background check, a written exam detailing important gun laws and gun safety, and a demonstrative exam showing that the applicant is familiar with the upkeep, usage, and securing of their firearm.

D) Stricter enforcement of the Brady Act.  The federal government currently only prosecutes a small percentage of violators of the Brady Act.  Bottom line - if you own a gun and you're not supposed to have it, you're going to jail.  Period.

E) Ban the sale and civilian ownership of full-automatic weapons.  Currently, states can override the federal law restricting the sale and ownership of full-automatic firearms - that should end.  No civilian needs a full-automatic gun, under any circumstances.

F) Ban the sale and civilian ownership of magazines larger than ten rounds.  No one needs 30-round magazines for home defense or hunting, and certainly not 100-round drums.  Even the average police officer's magazine is 13 rounds.

2) Comprehensive mental health care reform:
A) Make early mental health problem detection and care part of "preventive health care."  Thanks to the ACA, the cost of preventive care is fully covered by all insurance policies, and detecting mental health problems early should benefit.

B) Increase assistance at the federal and/or state level for the care of individuals with mental health problems.  Both the federal and state governments have slashed mental health care in the past few years, and the results are clear.  Caring for these individuals, especially if they lack the means to care for themselves or lack others to care for them, should be the duty of the state.  It's certainly more humane than locking them away, and we should consider that an option for only the most dangerous circumstances.

C) Strengthen the public awareness campaign to de-stigmatize mental health problems.  Maybe if people took the time to understand these problems and not simply think those who suffer from mental health problems are "weird" or "strange," they wouldn't become so isolated, which seems to be a key step in the path towards the sort of violence we've seen lately.

D) Make programs available to help integrate these individuals into society and into our communities.  They are our friends, and our family, and if we cut them off, we only have ourselves to blame if they become a danger to themselves and others.

This is only part of the solution.  But I think it's a start.  I welcome sensible, rational recommendations.