I wrote this below, but I'll paste it here as well.

Gun owning (and loving) super-liberal from Arkansas/Minnesota here to maybe provide a counter argument for your consideration.

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I think of guns somewhat similarly to vehicles. No, there is no amendment protecting vehicles, that is true, but they are a symbol of freedom and independence here in America. That said, you are not allowed to drive any type of vehicle just because you want to. Large trucks, extreme power and speed vehicles, airplanes, helicopters...those all require certain regulations and licenses for use. I don't think any of us are sad that it requires a ton of hours to get a pilots license. Or that not just anyone can hop into the cab of an 18-wheeler and take off. The basic premise is the same on all of them, it's just driving, sure, but I think we can all agree that the complexity and the the ability to do harm goes up as well, whether by accident or otherwise.

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Guns are similar. Here's a really basic, don't-get-nitpicky-this-isn't-the-law, idea that compares the vehicle side of things to what a rough firearm equivalent could be.

• Class D for any Dumbass can get this
  • Drivers License / Firearm License - A kid can pass this. Basic knowledge of law and demonstration of safe usage. Can be rescinded with continuous reckless behavior.
  • Vehicles: Basic vehicles don't require anything crazy to purchase which is 99% of the market.
  • Firearms: Semi-Auto restriction, round type limitation, assault rifles not allowed for purchase with this level.
• Class C for Can I Get More Firepower Please
  • (Medium) Vehicle License / Advanced Firearm License - A history of safe usage and knowledge. Application, thumbprint, photo, vision test, written test (with multiple attempts).
  • Vehicles: Limited by weight.
  • Firearms: Assault Rifles allowed.

I ran out of witty Class titles but you get the point. This can go up to allowing fully automatic and other features.

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I've been involved with a lot of liberal and progressive campaigns in Arkansas and Minnesota and I haven't met a single person running for office that wants to take away guns. Not one. I've met some individual voters that maybe felt that way, sure, but I could count their number on one hand.

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This ties in to Beto that he is pushing research on gun violence above all. This isn't a guy that is going to take your guns away, this is a guy that sees a problem and wants to find the best solution, not the blanket one. I know at present it's easy to get caught up in the limiting of sales of high-capacity magazines and weapons of war but...we really do have a problem on our hands. As safe gun owners we should be blazing the trail to smart gun ownership and not leaving it in others hands. Yes, we will have to make some caveats, but if that means I hear fewer stories of places being shot up, then you bet your ass I'll sit for a safety test to ensure that more and more powerful weapons are more in the hands of those that can handle them.

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