Six proposals for reasonable gun control

A Tampa Bay Times Editorial

Enough is enough. The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has renewed conversations about gun control in Washington and Tallahassee. Young people are demanding action, and there are cracks in the National Rifle Association's solid wall of defense built through decades of campaign contributions and political threats. Here are six reasonable gun control changes that do not threaten the Second Amendment and that Congress and the Florida Legislature should finally summon the courage to pursue. A renewed ban on the sale of assault rifles may be a long shot, but a combination of other options would make a significant difference.

1. Ban sales of assault rifles

A 2004 study found crimes involving assault weapons declined during the federal ban between 1994 and 2004, although the use of other guns with large magazines rose. The pace and the scale of the number of shootings with mass casualties has risen since then. The AR-15 semi-automatic has been used in massacres such as those at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.; the country music concert in Las Vegas; and the public health department in San Bernardino, Calif. Gov. Rick Scott does not support a ban and the Florida House callously refused last week to even debate one, but Congress should reimpose a national ban on the sale of assault rifles.

2. Limit the size of magazines

The shooter at Douglas High had five 30-round magazines that were not used. No civilian needs those. At least limit the size of magazines to 10 rounds. Scott and legislative leaders aren't interested.

3. Ban bump stocks

Many Americans had never heard of bump stocks until one was used to speed up the killing in Las Vegas. These devices enable semi-automatic weapons to mimic automatic weapons and fire bullets more rapidly. President Donald Trump and Scott support a ban, and the Florida Legislature appears poised to approve one. There is no need for them in civil society.

4. Toughen rules for buying rifles

In Florida, handgun buyers have to be at least 21 years old and face a three-day waiting period. Yet 18-year-olds can buy rifles with no waiting period. The 19-year-old who has confessed to killing 17 at Douglas High legally bought an AR-15 from a local store. The age limit and waiting period for the purchase of all guns should be raised to the same as for handguns, and Florida legislative leaders agree.

5. Enact red flag law

Florida should follow the lead of five other states -- California, Washington, Oregon, Indiana and Connecticut -- that allow a judge to temporarily take someone's guns if family members or police show that person is a threat themselves or to others. Scott supports that concept.

6. Improve background checks for gun sales

Unlicensed gun sellers who sell firearms at gun shows or on the internet or elsewhere do not run background checks on buyers. Close the loophole that enables private individuals to sell guns without conducting background checks.