Congress's solution to gun control is just recycled rhetoric. In a democracy, there is no absolute control. A draconian approach is necessary. Here are some suggestions:

Any civilian in possession of a fully automatic weapon, 90 days after such possession is declared illegal, goes to jail for 20 years. No jury trial, zero tolerance. (American Civil Liberties Union, jump in whenever you please.)

Any legal citizen of age may purchase a firearm but must first procure a permit, which will take 30 to 60 days for a valid, meaningful background check and a safety course.

The issuing agent must possess some level of training in assessing mental competency. The entire screening process is at the expense of the applicant.

Once a permit to purchase is issued, it is good for five years.

Lastly, (ACLU and National Rifle Association, feel free to jump in) zero tolerance as practiced in professional sports won't get the job done. You want gun control? The laws are in place. Stiff instant penalties will resolve the problem; political correctness and hand wringing will not.

For those who believe we could be invaded by a foreign country and all of our guns confiscated, remember that in just seven states we put more armed deer hunters in the field than the largest standing army in the world. If we were invaded, the invasion would likely be preceded by a nuclear holocaust, making gun confiscation the least of our problems.

Don't worry about internal confiscation. They wouldn't know how.

Bill Kuttruff

Hilton Head Island