I don't think I've commented on this issue very much if at all on this blog. In 2002 I came out against "machine guns." Today I have some updated thoughts.
I don't own a gun, so I would not personally have a problem with gun confiscation, provided we could still have a well-regulated militia, as specified in the Second Amendment. I don't hunt, but I know people who do, so I might keep an open mind to what they're trying to do, in terms of food, and herd population considerations.
At any rate, I don't think public opinion is anywhere near me anyway. If you want to lose an election, say the word "confiscation" as Tony Bouza did in 1994.
What people can agree on in 2013, I would hope, are things like background checks, restricting automatic weapons, and closing the gun show loophole. And definitely improving our mental health infrastructure. I am not against armed guards at schools, but I don't think that's the only answer.
This is a serious problem, and I am all in favor of moving expeditiously to solve it.
