Gun Violence: Fiction, Reality, and the Murky Area in Between

In the wake of the recent gun violence in Colorado Springs, Savannah, Georgia, San Bernardino, I feel compelled to state my take on the issue of gun control. Those who have read my novel may be surprised that I support it.

Handguns and rifles, both automatic and semiautomatic, both military and civilian-grade, are a big part of my novel, A Racket in the Burbs. While writing, I often wondered how I was portraying the availabilty of high-power guns in the U.S. I had to keep in mind that I was creating a world found between the hyperbolic action of a fictional thriller and reality.

In reality, I'm for increased background checks (at gun shows and in transactions between family, like in retail) and restrictions on high-capacity magazines. It wouldn't prevent all gun violence, but it would reduce the carnage that has resulted in more mass shootings than days so far in 2015.

Shootings in San Bernardino, Charleston, South Carolina, and Sandy Hook are part of a large list of situations when perpetrators were able to purchase guns legally despite problems with mental illness, substance abuse, a criminal records, or a history of violence.

Second Amendment supporters may argue that the real problem lies in the four problems just mentioned. They are correct. But legal loopholes and other failures to restrict those who shouldn't have access guns don't help the situation.

There also tends to be a lack of distinction in the public sphere on the difference between advocating for gun control and for a BAN on guns.

I consider myself both a supporter of gun control and the Second Amendment. I don't advocate a ban on gun ownership for U.S. citizens, but rather for a series of sensible rules on how they are purchased.

Much like I don't advocate bans on alcohol or cars, some regulations such as age restrictions, licensing, and laws against mixing the two have saved lives. Like any ruless on guns, these laws can and are broken, but are still effective.

I'll just wrap up by saying I'm all for responsible ownership of handguns, rifles, and shotguns for hunting, protection, and target sport. Logically, I don't see how this is negated by universal background checks and restrictions on certain types of military-grade hardware.

But then again, the gun control debate is more one of finger-waving and political opportunism than reason.

If you feel strongly about the issue, information on contacting members of U.S. Congress can be found here.