Here is an excellent piece from the MMM on
their goals...Million Mom
March Goals
Every day, a dozen children die from
gun-shot wounds.
On Mother's Day -- May 14, 2000 -- mothers and others who have lost kids,
husbands, siblings and friends because of the easy access of guns in this
country will join together in Washington, DC. Also joining the March are Moms
who have never lost anyone to a gun... and want to keep it that way.
We want Congress to create a meaningful gun policy that treats guns like cars.
It is only common sense that gun owners be trained in gun safety and be
licensed. It's only common sense that a deadly weapon be registered so that its
owner thinks twice before giving or selling it to someone else who may want to
cause harm. Licensing and registration -- it's only common sense.
What is licensing, and how does it work?
Too many people who should not have access to guns can buy them legally.
Many others who cannot legally buy guns can get them easily through illegal
channels. Licensing would help address both of these flaws in the current
system. Under a responsible licensing scheme, an applicant for a license must be
fingerprinted and pass a thorough, extensive background check. Authorities must
have enough time to ensure that the check is complete.
In addition to the background check, the applicant must demonstrate an
understanding of how to handle a gun safely and legally. Like a driver's test,
this would include both a written test and a hands-on demonstration of safe
handling and proficiency.
What is registration and how does it work?
Registration creates accountability for gun owners, to protect against
illegal sales and to promote responsible use and storage. Studies show that guns
used in crimes tend to be relatively new guns that were legally sold within a
few years of the crime. Because most of the guns in circulation are much older,
this suggests that guns used in crimes tend to get to criminals through
subsequent illegal sales rather than through theft. That means that some people
who buy new guns resell them illegally. Without registration, we have no
reliable way to spot illegal sales or to identify the sellers.
A responsible registration system would require gun owners to claim
responsibility for each specific gun they buy or own. Every year, the gun owner
would be required either to renew the registration for each gun or to explain
why s/he should no longer be responsible for its whereabouts.
Million Mom March
P.O. Box 762 =
Washington, DC 20044-0762
1/888-989-MOMS = www.millionmommarch.com
________________________
Mark Pertschuk
Legislative Director
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
1000 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-5705
(202) 530-0340, ext.23
Fax: (202) 530-0331
pertschuk@gunlaws.org
http://www.csgv.org