There is a way to resolve the (gun) issue without violating the spirit of the 2nd Amendment while also saving lives. First, we need to come to a consensus as a society that semi-automatic weapons (long guns and handguns, alike), weapons (guns) of mass destruction, weapons built for the sole purpose of extinguishing human life, are not needed by ANY (private) citizen for self-defense. And that semi-automatic weapons are not toys, to be had just because you WANT to shoot at targets, but deadly weapons made for War! Semi-automatic weapons, large capacity magazines, and anything other than standard issue ammunition, should be banned outright.
And we need to understand that LOCAL gun laws are not going to be nearly as effective a Nationwide common-sense gun laws, because NO American city has a wall built around it, nor is surrounded by a moat!
I recommend the following be instituted as set of common-sense measures bundled into a comprehensive law at the Federal Level (Note the terms weapons and guns are interchangeable for the purposes of this law):
1. Ban military-styled semi-automatic /assault guns (long rifles and handguns) FOREVER; no sunset clause;
2. Limit the number of guns of any type that can be purchased to 2 in a given month;
3. Levy a 10% Federal and 20% state tax on each gun purchased, proceeds will be used to run the Federal background check, and state licensing programs;
4. Individual rounds/bullets would be taxed at $.50 per bullet and a limit of 300 rounds per caliber, per month imposed;
5. Limit magazine size to 10 rounds per; belt fed systems would be prohibited;
6. A comprehensive federal background check will be performed on ALL gun sales even familial and private sales. Failure to do so would result in stiff fines and forfeiture of the weapon to be sold or sold;
7. A state-regulated gun-owners license will be mandatory for ALL gun owners and will be granted only after a comprehensive Federal background check, (self-funded) gun safety training, marksmanship training. In addition, strict storage requirements for all guns will be required, weapon must be stored unloaded, and ammunition/rounds/bullets stored separately. And if a child is in the home, child safety locks, or biometric locks must be utilized.
8. ALL weapons, even second-hand purchases must be registered, licensed, and insured at the state level. If a registered gun is used in the commission of a crime or if there is an accident with a registered gun, the insurance company would be liable for damages.
9. A gun-owners course must be completed before the first weapon is purchased and proficiency must be demonstrated at each license renewal period;
10. Stiff (increasing-financial) penalties would be levied on individuals who (lose) their licensed gun(s) and do not report same to the police and the gun is used in the commission of a crime;
11. Sales at gun shows will be forbidden;
12. Internet sales of weapons will be prohibited; however, bullets would continue to sold via the medium as long as taxes are collected;
13. Bump-stocks, or ANY mechanism designed to make a gun fire fully automatic would be prohibited;
14. 3-D printed weapons designed to for use in a semi-automatic and or automatic fashion would be prohibited;
15. 3-D printed guns, gun parts, or bullets/rounds designed to fool metal detectors would be prohibited;
16. A waiting period of 5-days would be instituted for EACH gun sale;
17. Anyone under the age of 18 would be forbidden from purchasing a gun; NO EXCEPTIONS;
18. Anyone convicted of domestic abuse would be prohibited from purchasing a gun and related equipment;
19. Anyone convicted of a Capital crime would be prohibited from purchasing a gun and related equipment;
20. Concealed-carry will be allowed at the state-level;
21. A (state) Government buy-back program of ALL semi-automatic weapons /guns and related equipment would commence the day the measure is signed into law and run for a year. Once the grace period for buy-backs/turn-in’s ends, possession of a semi-automatic gun will be a class D Federal felony by gun, unless a special (and rare) license for Federally approved dealers and collectors.