I have a simple resolution to the perceived gun violence issue, wanna hear it?

It's not a bad idea, but that won't stop most of the mass murders, because these people are loonies. We need to make it easier to force loonies threatening violence to mandatory psych evaluations, and if they fail, mandatory 30-day treatment. Too many loonies are able to get guns, as the Sandy Hook shooter, the Virgina Tech shooter, the Colorado shooter, and the Giffords shooter all did. Therefore, I also support mandating more background checks on gun purchases.

For some years now, there's been a Federal law that adds 5-10 years' federal time to whatever state time is involved in gun violence. We don't know if even that would work, since the Justice Department has been uninterested in prosecuting more than a tiny percentage of those cases. It really doesn't matter how many or what laws are on the books if they aren't used.

I'm opposed to mandatory sentencing for another reason- because everyone has a right to trial by jury and because mandatory sentencing overrides the principle of jury nullification. Every crime is unique and deserves individual consideration, with some requiring more severe and others less severe punishment. This is also a huge problem with the three strikes law, and leads to prison overcrowding.

I don't believe the threat of jail would intimidate people out of using guns. This has been proven that the purpose of laws is not to scare people out of committing crimes, but rather as you say, to hold them accountable and keep our streets safer.

But yes, I would support your legislation just to get these people off the street.

But I would like to see more done to prevent that first law-breaking event with the gun too.

Gun.... and law.... all in one argument. DOWN WITH YOU YOU COMMIE.