Weighing in on Gun Control

I’ll start by saying that some of the ideas and suggestions I have may already be in place.  I’ll also state that I am unfamiliar with current gun laws and regulations.  These are just my ideas and viewpoints in response to gun control.

OK, so, here we go.  Everyone is talking about stricter gun laws in the wake of the most recent massacre in Las Vegas. So, what laws do we currently have in place now? Background checks? Permits and licensing? Are there laws that limit the size and power a gun can wield?  As I mentioned earlier, I’m not sure what’s in place right now.  I do know that you need a license and or permit to carry a handgun; and one doesn’t need one to carry a shotgun or rifle.  Beyond that, not much more.

So how do we “control” guns.  Let's start by paralleling the manufacture of guns with the manufacture of automobiles. Every American built vehicle or vehicle sold in the US must have a vehicle identification number also known as the VIN. Also, not all vehicles manufactured in the world are legal to the US. Either due to their lack of environmental concern with having no emission controls, or flat out irresponsible fuel economy regulations.

So like I mentioned earlier, we eliminate automatic and semi-automatic guns being built in the US and prohibit them from coming into the US by law. We mandate that all gun manufacturers stamp each and every rifle, shotgun, and handgun with their own ID number. Those numbers are then recorded and logged to the receiving dealer. Every dealer must be licensed with the state and with the federal government.

This is very similar to how automobile dealers must be registered and receive their inventory.

Now about the types of guns allowed. No civilian American needs to be armed with anything other than a handgun, rifle, or shotgun. All single shot arms. Those are sufficient enough for hunting game and protecting one’s person and personal property. Anything more would be used for law enforcement and military use. One does not need to defend themselves with an automatic assault rifle. Each and every gun owner must sign and pay for registration of each gun with an id number. Just like your vehicle. Every year you must prove ownership of those guns by again paying for registration. Again, just like your vehicle. Once you purchase a gun, you are given a state issued document with the id number. Let’s just call this the title. The title must remain with the owner and registered gun until the owner sells or gives away the gun. In the same manner as a vehicle, the title must be signed off and registered with the new owner by either another dealer or a notary and then re-registered with the state. The difference with registration would be each owner would be required to register each year. If owner fails to register, fines can be assessed. If owner still fails to register, owner can be arrested and warrants granted to repossess or confiscate guns. Confiscated guns can then go to auction where only dealers may purchase. All this equates to added revenue for the states and complete control by the government.

All owners must go through the same checks as we have in place now, however they will now include shotguns and rifles.  All gun owners must go through a gun test in order to get licensed and you must have a license to buy any gun.  A person may not be allowed to own a gun or be fully licensed under 18.  Any person between 13 and 17 may register for a junior license which would allow them to handle and discharge a gun only in the supervision of a fully licensed owner.  Again, all this being similar to how driver’s licensing works.

Here’s the more difficult part to manage.  All persons possessing any gun must get licensed.  This would produce increased gun control enforcement, specifically during hunting season.  If gun control enforcement identifies people possessing a gun without a license, they will be immediately fined.  Again, failure to pay fines would result in imprisonment and confiscation.

If you want gun control, it has to start now!!  And it has to be aggressive and strict.  People don’t own and drive army tanks to work, so why should they own a semi or automatic gun?

Will people be upset?  You betcha!!  Most likely they will be livid to the point of protest.  It just needs to be done.  Best of all, after all of this is enforced, you still don’t take away the right to bear arms.

Let’s go back to my opening statement when I said to get rid of automatic and semi-automatic guns.  This only happens over time.  Most of this happens during criminal raids and arrests.  Confiscated illegal weapons would be stamped with ID’s (if not already present), registered with the government and put into government holding.  Legal guns would go through the same process with the exception of the guns would be stamped, registered with a title and taken to auction to be sold to dealers.  Elimination of these weapons would also eliminate the discussion of “bump stocks” and other means to manipulate semi-automatic guns.

Is there still going to be illegal and unregistered guns on the streets?  Yep!  Heroin and meth are illegal, yet there are still people overdosing in epidemic proportions.  Grand theft auto still exists!  Chop shops are still around striping VIN’s, cars and selling parts.  It’s gonna happen!  But this enforcement greatly reduces the possibilities of future catastrophes.

Recap:

• All current gun owners must register their guns and guns stamped with ID’s if not present
• All current gun owners 18 yrs old and over must get licensed in order to own or purchase  a gun
• Jr licenses to be issued to gun operators ages 13-17 only with a signature of a fully licensed owner
• All registrations must be renewed annually
• Stamped ID to distinguish between government/military and civilian use
• Immediately make any semi-automatic and automatic gun illegal
• Enforce illegal guns and their owners with heavy fines and/or imprisonment and confiscations
• Confiscations of illegal guns to be permanently impounded.
• Confiscations of legal guns (due to failed registration) to be auctioned off to dealers only
• Dealers to be registered with local and Federal government
• Dealers to be held accountable to inventory and proper sales and registration of arms
• Manufacturers to ID and assign all arms a certificate of origin
• Certificates to become a legal document (title) by the state once a gun is sold
• Fines and imprisonment in addition to confiscation of guns to be imposed on owners who fail to register
• Hunting licenses may not be issued without gun license numbers
• Enforcement to include fines and imprisonment to non-licensed owners

These laws all can parallel the motor vehicle laws.  Special licenses can also be issued to owners of larger caliber guns for the purpose of exotic game hunting such as African game.

This is the majority of what’s on my mind. Sorry this post isn't more refined. i just wanted to get this out as quickly as possible.

Thank you,

David Smith

US Citizen, Veteran, and gun toting Republican

#MAGA

"Phablet, Schmablet" -- I'm in!

I've always been a Techie.  Back in Jr. High I was always finding myself drawn to the new computer lab every study hall and free opportunity I could find.  Back then, computers were rare for student use.  The old Apple II's were mainly used for word processing and for the basics of learning the programming language.  Word processing never interested me; it was the machine itself and what it could do.  I quickly figured out the programming language as well as the source codes.  I was able to manipulate the code to make the computer do what I wanted it to do.  This led to lots of fun at the expense of other students as well as teachers.  I know what you are thinking, and yes, I became a hacker at the age of 12.  Although I couldn't bring myself to performing any malicious acts, I did find myself being banned from the computer room when I programmed a computer to unload all the printer paper from the printer when any unsuspecting person performed a set of keystrokes.

It wasn't until my parents decided to purchase our very first home computer that I really stopped "hacking".  The computer that we got was a Tandy 1000.  Since I had only known the code for Apple machines, I was unable to "crack" the code on this IBM based computer.  As much as I tried I couldn't figure it out.  This in turn led me to physically open up the computer to learn how it worked.  I managed to successfully disassemble and reassemble the entire machine.  This opened up my fascination with the hardware aspect of computers and the electronics that made them work.  I would eventually join the Navy to learn about high end electronics on government defense systems.  And from there I even started my own computer service company.

Casio Cassiopeia E-105 circa 2000

During my time with the computer company, technology had really evolved from the early days of PC's.  Tech was getting smaller and yet more powerful.  Soon, I found myself intrigued by the latest technology in PDA's.  It was in 1999 that I decided to purchase my first handheld computer, the Cassiopeia E-105.  This little device accomplished nearly everything I wanted in a portable computer.  It was my calendar, calculator, media player, word processor, and even my web browser.  However, I wanted it to do more.  Back then, I had envisioned that little device with the ability to make phone calls as well.  I would often hold the E-105 to my head simulating an actual conversation.  Not knowing it at the time but that technology was already available in the Nokia 9000 Communicator.  In 1996, that Nokia "PDA Phone" was the first of what we now call "Smartphones".

It wouldn't be until about 10 years later that I would finally get my first smartphone, the Blackberry Curve 8330.  Today, the "smartphone" is the device of choice the world over.  With the ever growing smartphone market, more and more companies are producing their own phones in order to compete in this market segment.  Every year these devices continue to get bigger and more powerful.  And, every year since my first Blackberry, I've watched and waited for the next best phone to arrive.  Just about every opportunity that has come along as a phone upgrade to my carrier contract, I've taken it.  I've now owned a Blackberry Curve, Blackberry Bold, Samsung Galaxy S2 and currently a Samsung Galaxy S3 (I actually hijacked my wife's available upgrade in order to get the GS3...Sorry Honey, I just had to have it).   My wife did finally get her own upgrade in the form of a Galaxy S4 mini.  But this also marks the longest time I've had a phone without jumping in to the latest and greatest thing.

So let me tell you why I still have the phone I have.  You see, personal computing has always been the thing for me.  Since acquiring the GS3 I've actually used it more like a mini computer than like a phone.  I purchased a mini keyboard and a mouse in order to achieve a computer feel to it.  I use Google Docs and Sheets on my phone and save all my work to Google Drive.  I read and compose all my email through my phone as well.  Navigating the Web...yep, through my phone.  My GS3 has more than enough hardware resources to do what I want it to do, thus the reason I haven't upgraded yet.  The only drawback to this "setup" is the screen size.  As a phone, the 4.7" display is quite large, but using it the way I do the 4.7" display becomes a tiny and very difficult to read "computer screen".  So why not get a Tablet computer, you ask?  Good question!  Although a tablet would provide a larger viewing area, it doesn't allow for "cellular" communication.  It really doesn't make sense for me to get a second device to do what one should be able to do.

Enter the world of "Phablets".  I remember when the Blackberry Playbook first entered the market.  I was on the brink of getting one, but just never pulled the trigger.  If the Playbook could have replaced my phone, then that would have made sense.  Again, I just couldn't see adding more devices to accomplish the same tasks that my smartphone could perform.  So, within the last two or three years, Samsung introduced their Galaxy Note line of phones.  This Galaxy Note was huge in terms of cell phones!  And it was with this phone that the term "Phablet" first entered our vocabulary.  A device that combines a cell PHone and a small tABLET into one.  Unfortunately, I was already into a new contract with the GS3 that I couldn't make the switch (or else I would have).  So, I waited.  Although I've been eligible for an upgrade for some time now, I'm still waiting for that "perfect" phone to emerge that combines the largest display area with what they call "flagship" specs.  I considered getting the Samsung Galaxy Mega as this has a huge 6.3" screen, however the hardware performance of this phone isn't nearly good enough as I had hoped it would be.

Rumors and leaks have been circulating now for the last several weeks about the next Google Nexus phone.  Google has partnered with different phone manufacturers over the years to produce their Nexus phones.  The rumors state that the next Nexus (6 or X) is about to be announced.  Speculation has it that this phone will have all the "bells and whistles" of a flagship device pairing it with a screen size of 5.92".  If this is actually the case when it is officially announced, then I'm ALL IN!  What's more exciting is that Google has always brought their Android operating systems to their phones as just that... pure Android operating systems.  Unlike Samsung, HTC and others that provide a unique user interface that runs over top of Android, Google rids this extra and mostly unnecessary software to provide a true Android experience.

In my opinion, the "Phablet" market is only just beginning.  As you troll the internet and look at all the market research you will find that globally, the phablet segment continues to gain in popularity by the percentage of device users, year over year.  And now, for the first time, Apple has embarked on paving new ground with their own large screened iPhones.  More specifically, if the iPhone 6 Plus takes off, we are going to see a "Phablet" revolution.  I forsee that 6" phablets will be the norm.  Don't get me wrong here...the smaller smartphones aren't going away.  Like my wife who prefers the smaller handset to mostly talk and text, the 4" - 5" smartphones are going to be a more viable option for those who do just that; talk and text.  But for those power and tech hungry users who want to maximize performance and flexibility in one device, then the phablet is the way to go.

Within the last few months I've been teased by the newer phones being released like the LG G Flex, the LG G3, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and the iPhone 6 Plus (all of which have at least a 5.5" screen).  Now, I wait with anticipation to see if all the rumors are true about the new Nexus 6/X.  Are you waiting for the next great device?  Are you a tech nut like me?  Or, are you happy with the size and capabilities of your phone right now?  ARE YOU IN?

Weigh in with your thoughts and leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading.
--Dave

Hawk Mountain, Pa

Marie, Michaela and I at the "North Lookout"
 9/27/14.

I grew up in a small little town on the northeast side of Douglassville, Pa.  Our house was located on the bottom side of "Rattlesnake Hill".  Our 2-3 acres of property were surrounded by wooded land, what I liked to call "the forest".  Wildlife was a common thing around our house.  Nearly everyday there would be sights of deer, wild turkey, pheasant, grouse, skunk, groundhog, snakes and the very common sight of buzzards flying overhead.

A view from "Appalachian Lookout" 9/27/14.

Growing up as a young boy I would wander off and "explore" the world around me.  I would find myself trying to navigate into "the forest" as far as I could, paving my own trails, and trying not to get lost or stuck.  Although I did have my fearful "not making it home alive" moments, I enjoyed the thrill of traversing new land.  The more I conquered, the more courageous I became.  I decided to venture out even more by walking up the local road to the rocky hillside of Rattlesnake Hill.  It was here where my love for climbing and hiking began.  I wanted to see what was on the other side of that hill!  I began at the rocky and wooded base and climbed the side of the very rocky hill until I reached the top.  Once I reached the top, I found out that there was whole lot more there than I could handle.  The ridge that I was actually standing on continued for what seemed like miles of just dense trees.  The backside of the hill was nothing but boulders and rocks cascading down to what appeared to be a lake of trees.  In reality this hill was probably just a walk in the park for most experienced hikers,

Michaela and I reaching the "3/4 Lookout"
 on the Escarpment Trail 10/3/14.

but from a young boy's eyes, this was huge, and a challenge for another day!

As time went on, more important things in life took precedence like baseball and basketball, riding bicycles, girls, school, learning to drive, jobs, and family.  Although I never did go back to challenge more of Rattlesnake Hill, the memories of it are forever embedded in my mind.

Today, I can share the joy and thrills of hiking and climbing as we journey through the scenic and beautiful Hawk Mountain countryside.  Although Marie and I have been here before, it was Michaela's first time visiting the mountain on September 27th.  I was off the weekend and we were undecided how to spend the beautiful fall Saturday afternoon.  We finally just decided to take the trip to Hawk Mountain.  It wasn't until we started hiking up "Lookout Trail" when Michaela began getting very excited.  We proceeded to stop at every lookout and overlook at her request to view and spot any bird we could find.  It was here that she fell in love with hiking and climbing!  The following Friday, Michaela had an early dismissal from school.  The only thing she wanted to do, was take another trip to Hawk Mountain.  Of course, I obliged!  We had what she calls a "Triple D" (Daddy, Daughter Day or in this case, a half a day).  Once we were there on the trail, I challenged Michaela to take the more difficult "Escarpment Trail".  She almost didn't want to do it after seeing the steep rock climb to start the first leg of the trail.  She did it anyway and she conquered it!  It was a proud moment for both of us!  Now she looks forward to going back again, and has planned out our next trail adventure.

I am very proud of both Marie and Michaela for taking and completing the challenge of hiking the Hawk Mountain trails.  And, I look forward to making many more memorable moments with them both!