There are various issues that divide Americans today including abortion, police reform, voting rights and most notably gun control. Gun advocates often maintain that any form of gun control is in violation of the Second Amendment. Meanwhile, supporters of gun control have argued that an outright ban on some forms of firearms, including semi-automatic rifles and handguns to start, is necessary to ensure public safety. This month the Supreme Court of the United States—the highest court in the land—will hear a case that could determine what is meant by the “right to bear” as just opposed to “keep” arms.  

It seems unlikely that lawmakers will find any middle ground on this issue of firearms. In defense of gun owners, it should be noted that there have been many new forms of gun control added since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934, which highly restricted the sale and ownership of automatic weapons. The Gun Control Act of 1968 banned convicted felons from buying a gun. The Firearms Owners Protection Act banned the manufacture of “new” legal machine guns and automatic weapons that could be legally transferred. Thus, supporters of the Second Amendment have good reason to fear new restrictions. 

Interestingly, a recent profile from ABCNews.com shows that some supporters of the Second Amendment agree there are some responsible gun laws that should be added to the books. Their suggestions include laws for safe storage, which would require gun owners to keep their firearms locked up when not in use. Currently, eleven states have such laws on the books, but Massachusetts was the first to require that all firearms be locked up.  

Universal Background Checks 

Even as the issue of gun control divides America, the issue of universal background checks divides many gun owners. Supporters of these measures suggest that every firearm purchase, whether from a licensed dealer or private seller, should go through a background check. 

Some people have argued that this type of restriction would create a burden on an overworked system—one that criminals would ignore anyway. 

Firearms Training 

A less controversial issue is to require gun owners to receive some form of training before buying a firearm. Supporters of such a measure include John Harris, a lawyer and the executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association. Harris told ABCNews.com that this could be taught in school so that kids could gain an appreciation and understanding of firearms beyond video games and movies. 

Some states are already on board with such programs. In Utah, lawmakers passed a bill creating a program to provide a firearm safety course in public schools. Meanwhile, Connecticut and Virginia have each published guides for schools to develop lessons teaching firearm safety. 

The National Rifle Association already has a program in place—the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, which is meant to prevent firearm accidents among children. It teaches kids that if they find a firearm, to stop, don’t touch it, run away and tell a grown-up about it.

Finally, one area where even gun control supporters might agree with gun owners is that more funding needs to go towards mental health screening and treatment. While that likely won’t stop all tragedies, it would be a good form of gun control that even the most ardent supporter of the Second Amendment could get behind. Otherwise, finding any common ground on this issue could be a long time in coming. 

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military small arms, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com. 

Image: Reuters