The process in place now is very functional. What needs more attention is the speed at which new crimes that disqualify people from buying a gun, are updated to the system. The church shooting last month is an example of that I believe. If they want to require private transactions to go through an FFL, fine with me. I don't really like it, but if I have to give on something, that works.
Taxing Americans on a second amendment right, is going to send things in a bad direction. Mental conditions fall into a HIPPA issue, so there is no system to report someone who should not have a gun for that reason. It's self admittal when you fill out the paperwork. There will never be enough money from tax to fix the medical industry to function for the gun side, in a reasonable time to be up and running, so that will get shot down(pun intended). Changing medical process to release information is a nightmare. People have suggested taxing this before, and using the money to aid victims and their families. Who is managing that money? The government, the state, or the ATF? And to what extent do people receive benefit? Why not take the gun maker, and the ammo company involved in the shooting to court? What if it's a child who gets ahold of a gun shots themselves, or someone else? That's the adult's fault. But, should people be able to that the gun and ammo company to court? Where does it end, and what is realistic?
None of that works. So, no on taxing gun related items.
How about we stop giving every kid a trophy? Not everyone is a winner. Raise kids to know their place and that a happy life doesn't have to be a status related competition. How about parents stand their ground and not cave into the kids wants all the time. If you are raising a child you need to provide leadership and set the example. Right now, we have 40+ years of many parents wanting to be friends with their kids and giving up on being a parent by the time the kid is 13. We don't need a law, or a tax to show change or effort. We need to grow the fuck up and be responsible for our actions and those of our family. Shame means nothing anymore, because pride is gone. It's acceptable to screw up time and time again. That is what we are ok with today. "The laws are in place to protect us". The people breaking the laws do not care about the repercussions. They are not afraid of what will happen to them, because they have rights and will be protected. And we are going to sit here and try to write laws against irrational actions? We are going to tax the rational people who obey the laws and are not the issue?
We need to get back to raising kids with respect and to know their place. Parenting is not a hobby, it's a full time job, eight days a week and 30 hours a day. Let's fix that, and hold people accountable for their actions. When we stop being passive people who do nothing to better our society, maybe then we will see some change.