It’s Time to Do Something About Gun Violence in America [OPINION]

Gun violence in America has reached epic proportions and it's time to talk about the problem and look for solutions.

I am a gun owner. I have owned guns since I was a teenager. I'm all in favor of people owning guns. I'm in favor of having guns for hunting, for recreational target shooting, and for protecting and defending our lives and property.

My question is why does it seem like gun control opponents are so afraid just to have a conversation?  It's not just guns we need to talk about, but we need to talk about how to reach our kids and what we can do to make things better.

What would it hurt just to talk about gun laws and regulations? Perhaps there are some things we can do to make it a little more difficult to carry out one of these horrific and needless massacres. Stricter gun laws don't have to threaten anyone's right to own guns.

Obviously, there is much more to this issue than just guns, but to suggest that we do nothing simply because the bad guys will get the guns anyway is ridiculous. That is like saying we should take down all of the speed limit signs in America because people are going to speed anyway. It's like saying we're never going to stop terrorism so we might as well just stop fighting it. That would be ludicrous.

An American army veteran, with extensive training on assault rifles, put it this way and it makes a lot of sense to me.

"We manage all things in society that can pose a danger to other people by their misuse. In addition to cars, we manage drugs, alcohol, exotic animals, and fireworks, among other things. Gun ownership is the one thing our country collectively refuses to manage..."

I'll admit. I don't have the answer. I don't know what needs to be done, but I believe we will never find a solution unless we look for it and that means having a meaningful conversation- without the extreme views that permeate both sides of this issue.

For just a moment, can't we think about the precious innocent lives that are being lost at an alarming rate in this country?  Aren't those lives worth, at the very least, having a conversation?