ANOTHER SCHOOL/PUBLIC SHOOTING

[username]

And now the question . . . legally purchased and registered handgun (by Houser) or not?

I just saw it reported that the gun was purchased legally at a pawn shop.

If he hadn't obtained one there, he could have just as easily bought one from a gun show or (and this was news to me) off the internet. I've never gun shopped on the internet...I must try this.

Anyway, I was listening to the senator from West VA who co-sponsored a bi-partisan bill with a senator from Pennsylvania (I believe) requiring stricter background checks. He was asked why he thinks their bill didn't pass. His answer (obviously paraphrased): Fear. Mistrust of government. The belief that if that were to the pass, more measures would follow and soon the government would be taking guns from responsible owners. He was interesting. He apparently got a lot of flak for co-sponsoring that bill but as he said: "I hunt. I grew up in a hunting family/environment and I know many, MANY, responsible gun owners...I'm a firm believer in the 2^nd Amendment...my ONLY desire is to make it somewhat more difficult for the mentally ill or convicted criminals to get their hands on a gun....".

It's such a simple, small step (and granted it might not even prove terribly effective since criminals typically can/will get their hands on a gun one way or another if they're determined) but it's pretty absurd that we make it that easy for them. It's somewhat ridiculous to me that gun stores etc. are even required to go through the background check process if the same person can just shrug and go online and buy a weapon instead. Why bother with the one without the other?