Letter to the Editor: There are enough gun control laws

There are enough gun control laws for the most part. Just close the loop holes that side-step the laws that prevent them from doing their job (web sales, gun shows, etc). Now, most, if not all activities in this country that present a safety risk to the public are licensed (driving a car, flying a plane, nurse, owning a gun, medical doctor, and more, much more).

Being licensed comes with both privilege and responsibility. For a pilot it requires a an annual physical by a certified FAA doctor. Doctors, nurses, teachers are required to take courses periodically to maintain current skills. Drivers must meet state standards regarding eye sight and physical standards to keep their driving privileges. All the licensed professions and nonprofessionals must continually prove that they have met the qualifying standards for their license, not just when they first obtain them but throughout their active years of use.

Because owners of guns present a potential risk to the public safety they should be required to obtain a periodic certification of their continued satisfactory mental health condition. The certification should be given by professional mental health practitioners that are themselves certified by the government authorities that issue the license.

Benjamin Carp

Marco Island