Why is everyone talking about gun control? Many Americans own firearms legally and do no harm; after all, it is a Second Amendment right and the Constitution is a finite and modern document. Cars are just as dangerous, more people die from them every year; it isn’t like there is a legal process and baseline test that accompanies that privilege. So who cares if someone wants to own a rifle to go hunting or an semi-automatic firearm for a hobby? If anything, guns allow people, who all have excellent judgement, to defend themselves from other people with guns far better than any type of trained public service like the police. Even if guns get into the wrong hands, the government can’t do anything about it now; the market is too big and scary to even bother to begin regulating. Who cares about gun control?

I would think that maybe the families of the 948–and counting–mass shooting victims care about where the guns that killed their families came from. I would like to think that there is some way to prevent the virtually automatic firearms from getting into the hands of a clearly mentally incapable shooter, equipping them with the ability to kill more efficiently that ever. I would love to think that the safety of Americans was placed above a vague amendment, as it has been in the past with the freedom of speech.

Some conservatives argue that the best course of action is to put guns into people’s hands so they can defend themselves instead of attempting to make comprehensive legislation that doesn’t make America a free-for-all whenever someone gets spooked. Historically, claims of shooting for self-defense often result in an innocent death and an unclear court case because perceived threat does not always warrant a murder. Take Trayvon Martin, an innocent death at the hands of George Zimmerman’s poor judgement. Hypothetically, those who choose wrongly when it comes to defending themselves could be put in prison or have some ‘fair’ punishment, but the life of the victim can never be returned.

While the black market around guns has flourished into a seemingly unstoppable force, it is the responsibility of the government to do everything in their power to keep Americans safe from irresponsible gun owners. In order to purchase a gun, citizens ought to go through training and a test on gun safety, similar to that of a drivers license. Their criminal record should also be taken into account when applying for ownership, especially when there is evidence of violence. The issuing of licenses should be handled by the government. Certain types of guns, such as certain semi-automatic and automatic, should be banned or require further review for ownership. Companies that manufacture and sell guns should also have licenses and meet stricter ethical requirements. To counteract any lack of ability to defend oneself, policing should carry the responsibility of protection and respond accordingly, perhaps by increasing funding and educational training.

Some may claim this violates the second amendment and defies the Constitution, however, constitutional rights have been regulated in the past to preserve the safety of Americans. The Constitution is also a flexible document which has allowed it to withstand the test of time; the Founders lived in a different America where automatic weapons did not exist.

Guns are not toys, and the lives of victims aren’t numbers.