We need reasonable people discussing gun control

It is time for an objective, honest, and constructive discussion about gun control. I wonder if any pro-gun people are capable of participating in that discussion.

I watched Alan Jones' rant on “Piers Morgan Tonight” and it was obvious he is not capable of a serious and constructive discussion. I fear he is representative of many pro-gun people.

Regarding honesty, I recently heard a pro-gun person quote the Second Amendment saying, “A well armed militia ...” The actual amendment begins, “A well regulated militia ...”. There is an important difference. Our founders provided for regulations. This person was trying to rewrite the Second Amendment.

It seems like a good idea to conduct a background check to reduce the likelihood that a gun is sold to a criminal or mentally unstable person. How could someone disagree?

Yet, today, anyone can get a gun without a background check by simply going to a state with lax gun laws and buying a gun at a gun show. It is like protecting your car by locking three of the four doors.

It is estimated that 40 percent of the gun sales in this country are conducted without a background check. The technology to virtually eliminate the sale of guns without a background check exists. We just need the will to make the changes necessary.

First, we need some reasonable people discussing this issue. Emotional rants, simplistic clichés and dishonesty only distract from a constructive discussion.

Richard Greer

Cedar Rapids