Sometimes I need to regroup. I have been snooping about the Internet dredging up info that I think applies to this blog and my efforts to generate a change in this law. I have tried to look at both points of view and it becomes difficult. The problem isn't in the moderate viewpoints...it lounges in the psyche of the extremists. I realize that the largest majority of citizens hate crime. The only people who are capable of liking it are criminals, right? I guess we can use the Pareto Principle...the 80/20 rule...and divide our audience. 80% normal and well adjusted...10% lost to the side of either extreme.
When a crime happens there is no other group that mourns greater than the gun owners. They may have never been in a position to have known the victim, but they know the incident will generate even more fallout. That is one of the reasons I believe this proposal should be considered. The application fees can be used to finance gun-control amongst the criminals. The dramatic overcriminalization of a single conviction of MCDV is merely a tool that is used to fuel the fire. I can honestly understand, to some degree, the controlling of firearms. I realize that weapons stolen from private individuals are the primary means for criminals to acquire firearms. Maybe mandatory gun safes? The problem is the criminals today are different. the "kids" breaking into your house aren't just there to steal your guns, but to dig the hard drive out of your computer so they can get to all your information!
One must take into account the concept of criminal intent. I believe that a citizen convicted of an MCDV deserves a second chance. It was a sin of stupidity and a loss of control. We used to call it a mistake back when I was growing up. The problem is that we also used to learn from them and never let it happen again. I firmly believe there is ample criminal intent in committing a second offense. You have done it once, know what it is and the downfall. That is criminal intent. This also alludes to the idea of a misdemeanor versus a felony charge. I believe a misdemeanor charge is of a nature to be considered a mistake. It also stays on your record for future use. Do the same thing again...and the sentence will be stiffer! A felony, on the other hand, is a crime that is either so orchestrally comlex that it required a plan or so heinous it overcame human nature and natural boundaries. Of course, I didn't make it to law school.