Thread by @PostOpinions

For too long, opponents of gun reform have said nothing can be done to stem the violence. That's demonstrably wrong.

The #MarchForOurLives movement should be informed by science, with specific proposals that could make an impact. A thread with facts .... wapo.st/gunreforms

Here’s a general rule: More guns = more gun deaths. It holds across countries, and note how much the U.S. stands out. wapo.st/gunreforms

Semiautomatic weapons were involved in each of the 5 highest-casualty mass shootings in modern U.S. history, including the ones in Las Vegas and Orlando.

We acknowledge banning these weapons probably won't do much to curb overall gun deaths. But ... wapo.st/gunreforms

... banning assault weapons in 1994 was never meant to reduce overall gun deaths; it was meant to reduce mass shootings. And mass shooting deaths dipped during the ban, although a review of studies found the effect to be inconclusive. We need to know more. wapo.st/gunreforms

Almost 2 million U.S. children live in homes where firearms are loaded and easy to access. A federal study shows that 68% of school shootings are perpetrated by shooters who obtain a gun from their homes or homes of family. wapo.st/gunreforms

Massachusetts has the strictest safe-storage laws in the U.S. There, guns are used in just 9% of youth suicides, vs. 42% nationally. The suicide death rate among youth in Massachusetts is 38% below national average. wapo.st/gunreforms

So here are three ideas to reduce the flow of guns:

First, a buyback program. Australia’s program was mandatory and that may run into constitutional problems here. But perhaps the U.S. government could target specific types of weapons. wapo.st/gunreforms

Second, limit the number of guns people can buy at one time. Virginia passed a “one handgun a month” policy in 1993. The state went from being the Northeast’s top supplier of seized weapons to 8th place. wapo.st/gunreforms

Third, hold gun dealers accountable. Milwaukee saw a 44% reduction in new crime guns after a 1999 federal report named a dealer responsible for a majority of guns involved in crimes. wapo.st/gunreforms

Finally, here’s what happens when states go beyond federal laws and require all handgun sales to undergo a background check: Fewer gun deaths. wapo.st/gunreforms

With background checks we must:
- Close the “Charleston Loophole.”
- Close the “boyfriend gap” to stop abusers not married to their partner from buying guns
- Implement waiting periods
- Improve reporting on mental health

wapo.st/gunreforms

We should treat guns like we treat cars. Connecticut requires licenses and safety training. In the decade after the law passed, the state saw a drop in both gun homicides and suicides. wapo.st/gunreforms

Today’s #MarchForOurLives isn’t just politics; it’s about healing our country. The gun epidemic in the U.S. is just like any other epidemic — it will take careful deliberation and science to save lives. wapo.st/gunreforms