Letter - Gun control debate seems irresolvable

To the editor:

The highly contentious gun control debate seems irresolvable. However, as a lawful and moral society, we remain obliged to take responsibility for the consequences of our freedoms. The cost to society for the Second Amendment is enormous. Obviously the loss of life is incalculable. But the financial costs to the victims, communities, families and individuals for the pain and suffering, medical bills, emergency services, etc. go unaddressed.

How do we take responsibility for the direct and indirect fallout of the Second Amendment? Reimburse the victims with a federally enacted Second Amendment Victim Entitlement. This legislative act would compensate those affected by firearms, whether from crime or accident.

How do we pay for this liability? Raise revenue with a federal excise tax on the manufacture and importation of guns and ammunition. In addition to raising the necessary funds to compensate the victims, this excise tax would not infringe on the Second Amendment right of the people to keep and bear arms.

To mollify those arguing that the poor would be encumbered while exercising their right, it may be necessary to offer income-based rebates of the costs associated with the excise tax.

Granted, none of this would reduce gun violence, accidents, availability, or numbers. In fact, there would probably be a run on guns and ammo in a “Get ’em while they’re cheap” frenzy.

Again, the Second Amendment Victims Entitlement has nothing to do with gun control. Nobody’s guns are going to be taken away. Think of it as insurance. It only takes responsibility for our Second Amendment freedom.

Joel Levie

Evansville, MN

Tags: opinion, letters