and I fully support gun owners' right to possess and use firearms under the law for sport/recreational and self defense purposes while recognizing that it's nearly impossible to regulate the 200M+ firearms in circulation throughout the country.

I'm much more in favor of draconian penalties for crimes committed while the criminal is in possession of a firearm. 

If a firearm, even if not discharged, is found in that criminal's possession after the commission of a crime then I think an automatic prison sentence of ten years with no hope of parole is in order.  If the firearm is discharged and/or causes bodily harm then I think the ante should be raised to twenty years in prison with no hope of parole and if death or permanent disability to the victim occurs then I think the sentence should be raised to life imprisonment with no hope of parole.

Such sentencing guidelines would not totally eliminate the toll in casualties resulting from  gun crimes but I believe that toll would be drastically reduced by two means.  First the majority of gun toting miscreants would be taken off the street for a very long time if not forever and secondly the bad guys who remain at large would think LONG AND HARD before taking up arms to perform their nefarious deeds.

JMHO 

Peace and love,

Flakey