Excellent points. I believe I somewhat addressed a few of them last time, but it appears I neglected to do so this time.
As for the harsher punishments for violent crimes committed with firearms: Why should there be a differentiation in regards to what tool was used to commit a violent crime? Violence is violence, whether a gun, knife, sledgehammer, or a barbie doll turned into a shank is used.
I completely agree. My hope is to start with a focus on firearms in an effort to get to the table and then broaden to the notion that you described above. If this is good to do for an offense commited with a firearm, why is any other violent offense less deserving of the same standard. After all, it's the guilty act, not the tool right?
It also appears that I neglected to point out that I am hoping to turn the anti's focus from firearms to violence in general. In doing so, hopefully I will relieve some of the pressure for gun control and may even get something accomplished.
I would disagree that existing laws concerning firearms, at least the ones that concern activities that are malum prohibitum, should exist, much less be enforced.
Again I agree. There are a lot of reports that have come out recently showing how frequent it is for violent offenders to be given reduced sentences and then let out early only to recidivate. If we go back to focusing on "gun crime" for just a second, much of it is perpetrated by people who already have a criminal record. 1. I think criminals know the punishment will be lenient and 2. why are we letting them out so early if we know they are only going to recidivate.
Overall, to me more background checks are next to worthless. It's not going to stop the people actually intent on violence and the only people that it will "catch" are those who were actually trying to follow the law.
I understand this is likely a pipe dream, but I'm proceeding on the off chances that it is not. At the counter rally in Waterford this past weekend one guy from the other side eventually calmed down and rationally discussed this matter with me once I explained it to him. By the end he seemed supportive. This gives me hope.
I hope I sufficiently addressed your concerns. Please continue if I have not.