"The Geography of U.S. Gun Violence"

[Racer X]

SDGuy wrote:
[quote=Lemon Drop]
...dispite regional differences we do need federal help with guns. There ARE universal laws that would help...

:agree:

I think the open question is what form that help should take.
Off the top of my head, and hardly all-inclusive:
Since all Firearms Dealers are Federally licensed, I'd start with all firearms transactions must go through a Firearms Dealer (with a NICS check).

Another easy thing to do (IMHO) would be to define a "firearm" to include whatever component contains the chamber. For now, manufacturing that part at home is out of reach of ordinary folks (for better, or worse, though - I have a feeling that will change over the coming decades. When that happens, it will not be a good thing, and I have a feeling at that point firearms proliferation will become an intractable problem).

On the other (human) side of the equation - I think the Federal government can offer financial help to address both mental health treatment, as well as something to discourage those DAs that are prone to allow violent crimes be treated as misdemeanors (and thus avoiding a potential ding during a NICS check).
for any meaningful discusion, it is crucial to understand and acknowledge that a gun dealer is federally licensed by the ATF. If someone engaging in the business of selling firearms isn't licensed, they aren't a gun dealer. They are just someone selling illegal goods. There are dealers breaking the law in various ways, they just haven't gotten caught yet.