Gun Ownership

I am a gun owner and a veteran, and I understand firsthand the difference between firearms used for hunting or sport shooting and weapons designed for warfare. Like many responsible owners, I enjoy going to the range and working on a tight grouping on a paper target. Gun ownership, however, comes with responsibility, just like other activities that carry real risk. To drive my car or fly a private aircraft, I completed training, maintain licenses, renew them periodically, and carry insurance. Those requirements don’t take away freedom; they help ensure that people use powerful tools safely. Firearms should be no different. We can respect the rights protected by the Second Amendment while still promoting responsible ownership through training, accountability, and common-sense safeguards that keep both gun owners and the broader public safe.

Here's what I would change:

First, require basic safety training for all new gun owners. This is not  to restrict access, but to make sure people understand how to handle, store, and use firearms safely.

Second, implement universal background checks with real enforcement for all License to Carry applicants. The laws we have should work and apply consistently.

Third, require safe storage standards, specifically in homes with children. Responsible ownership includes making sure firearms don’t end up in the wrong hands through negligence.

Fourth, introduce a reasonable liability insurance requirement. Just like owning a car, if something goes wrong, there should be away to cover harm and protect victims. This isn’t about penalizing responsible owners; it’s about accountability and making sure risk is taken seriously.

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