Man, I’m surprised at all the vitriol directed at President Reagan. I remember those times fondly, and it’s also good to remember that he was president of the screen actors guild and a successful governor of California, a state with the fifth largest economy in the world. And he was known as the great communicator, something I wish we could say about poor Joe Biden. Sure, some of his policies went sour but they should have been refined or eliminated by subsequent administrations. But no, the Republicans just doubled down on the trickle down theory and have run it into the ground. It seems to me that there are at least two explanations for all the Reagan hate. First it seems like everyone blames him for the present state of the Republican clown show. However, I think the descent started with the TEA party and then the Freedom Caucus wherein a minority of extremists somehow put the rest of the party over a barrel. And second, similar to the way that the Republicans spent millions of dollars to vilify Nancy Pelosi and make her the object of undistilled hatred by people who knew nothing about her, some entity (Democrats? the media?) have hammered away for years at the notion that the cowardice and complete lack of integrity in the current Republican Party is Reagan’s fault. Some of you ought to take the time to read a balanced biography of Ronald Reagan. I think you’d be surprised. Bring back the fireside chats!
Well, it looks like things have become more complicated since 1986. Nevertheless, it seems to me a similar licensing scheme like they had prior to 1986 MIGHT be a step in the right direction. A $200 fee and a background check. Or it may have minimal effect. Based on a brief internet search it seems the cyclic rate of a 1928 Thompson is 600-800 rpm. And the firing rate of an AR-15 is a comparatively slow 45 rpm. However, it noted that with a bump stock like that idiot in Las Vegas used it could be 400 rpm or more. You are correct that there are plenty of phobias and misinformation around but there must be some way to minimize all these mass shootings.
Why not start by requiring an FFL to own an assault rifle? Aren’t they just as deadly (or deadlier) than a 1928 Thompson sub machine gun? An FFL requires a background check and the cost is comparatively modest…compared to how much you’d spend on ammo in one day at the range. Anyone with nothing to hide shouldn’t be worried about a background check. At least it would be a start to getting a handle on the massive numbers of assault rifles out there.
Great turnaround, Ma!