If You Really Want Control in the US, Here Is How it Will Work

By Jeffrey Daugherty (www.jeffreydaugherty.com)

From the White House to the house next door we are hearing more cries for increased gun control in the United States today than ever before.  For the first time, I am personally ready to listen and ready to talk about it, and have a suggestion for the only way that I believe it will work.  The steps below are offered in the order in which they should be taken.

Absolutely Secure the US Borders:  If we are ever going to be able to completely gets guns off the streets of America we must make certain that guns are not coming into America as fast as they are removed.  The only way to do this is to absolutely secure our borders.  This would mean impenetrable fences/walls on both our southern and northern borders.  This would also mean a greatly expanded Border Patrol—or repurposed police, which we will get to in a minute.  This is the only way to contain the problem of guns in America.  We must not allow any more in while we are dealing with the weapons already here. 

End Prisons for Profit:  If greatly expanded gun control is ever to be accepted by American citizens, then we must remove the fear that they will be targets for oppressive imprisonment once unarmed.  The threat of prisons for profit leave the very real fear that laws will be invented and enforced just so big corporations can make big profits. 

Repeal the Patriot Act:  An act of good faith by the government is absolutely essential to make this plan work.  If citizens see the government actually give up ‘big brother’ type powers, it will give them confidence that this is indeed a give and take scenario and that they will not be hauled off to internment camps as soon as their guns are gone.

Legalize Marijuana and Commute Most Pot-Related Prison Sentences Immediately:  This is another essential good-faith step by the government.  The release of citizens that are behind bars for petty pot-related crimes is not only the right thing to do, it will also breed good will and allow for the re-purposing of many current prison guards to border control duty. 

De-Militarize and Disarm the Police:  Americans will never willingly lay down their arms while the current class of killer cops roam the streets of our country.  While (I hope) these thugs remain a decided minority, they are nonetheless a growing force that must be dealt with.  Our police agencies nationwide have allowed the development of an ‘Intimidate and Control’ mentality that has all but replaced the ‘Protect and Serve’ model.  We will never lay down our arms until this element is totally eradicated from every police department in America. 

This means the removal of heavy armor and military dress and tactics.  This means a wholesale re-training of police officers away from Intimidate and Control and back to Protect and Serve.  They must be reminded that they are servants of the public, not our masters or controllers. 

This also mean disarming the police and the adoption of UK style policing.  If the guns are off the streets and out of the hands of criminals then the police do not need them here any more than they need them in the UK.  Before you raise a cry, officer, consider this:

A 2006 survey of 47,328 Police Federation members found 82% did not want officers to be routinely armed on duty, despite almost half saying their lives had been “in serious jeopardy” during the previous three years.

It is a position shared by the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers. 

(As reported by Jon Kelly BBC News Magazine)

This plan calls for sacrifice from all.  Though it is radical and does not fully please anyone, it will work if put into place.  It just might be the only thing that would.  So, are we all ready for a little give and take?  Let’s see who really wants to do the right thing.