I hear you and I must point out that if you're on this site then a measure of intelligence is already in place. Guns are becoming like sex. Even the least intelligent can purchase and use them. That's the problem. Someone said that if they could sell common sense then they'd be a billionaire. I tend to agree. It is an informative article and a good read.

@IAJO163 My thing is that I support gun ownership, but I support responsible ownership, and that puts me at odds with the NRA set. I was trained in shoot/don't shoot scenarios and overall use of force situations, armed or unarmed (with the emphasis on minimizing force and de-escalating a situation, retreating and avoiding an incident whenever practical) before I ever applied for a carry permit. In almost 20 years as a corrections officer I've been assaulted only 4 times, because I can talk prisoners into backing down or avoid confrontations turning violent in the first place. Those are teachable skills.

I believe there needs to be a minimum standard of training before anyone gets a permit, and it needs to be nationwide. Intensive classroom instruction on a small-group basis where the instructor is a qualified law-enforcement trainer, and is more than willing to fail someone who's overly aggressive and shows signs that they're going to go out looking for trouble.

Alas, this standard would cost tax dollars and "infringe on our rights", so it's unlikely it will ever come to pass.

@Paul4747 I am surrounded by non permit, uneducated and angry gun owners who are highly impulsive time bombs waiting to detonate. Whether it makes the news or not, someone in this city is the victim of gun violence daily. I understand the anger which is why I don't own a gun. I have a long list lol.