I would like to suggest that if there is documented mental illness in a household that no one residing in that household be issued a firearms permit.

We need to take small steps to prevent further horrific events like Newtown. Even one weapon off the streets could save lives!

Location: Agawam MA

obama should immediately sign executive order banning sale of assault weapons until congress has had a chance to fully debate this issue. (This would show true leadership and stop the recent increase in sales of these weapons by people looking to acquire these weapons before they become illegal to purchase)

Location: Cheshire Connecticut

Similar to what some of the other folks have suggested, we need a firm security policy that protects our schools. We created an organization to protect our land and the skies from potential terror attacks (Homeland Security)….and spend a lot of money doing that. Why don’t we apply similar resources for our schools. If we truly want to detour from allowing this type horrible act to happen again, I think we need to start by arming our schools. (I am not in favor of arming teachers as was recommended by another poster.)

Simply put, when class is in session, we have armed guards. This is not the shady security companies we are taking about here but a federally funded program that allows for Police officers to start guarding our schools. Lets require and help the states provide resources that ensures we have armed officers protecting our schools. This could also help us curb other issues within the schools as the increased police presence alone I believe could help kids stay on the right path. Schools are too simple of a target and if we really want to consider taking that away, then serious attention and policy changes are necessary. If we truly do not want to accept these acts as “routine”, as you put it last night, lets take a serious stand and make sure that our country’s future is truly protected. God Bless those poor children, teachers and their families….

Location: Austin, Texas

Treat Guns like every other controlled substance, (Liquor, cigarettes, Cars.

Put the 1st burden upon the owner of the weapon, mom,dad, whoever. It needs to be locked, and stored, with only parential access (one key) The parents are liable just as if they gave liquor or drugs to a minor.

Put the 2nd burden upon the NRA, they want the freedom, they need to monitor and regulate the rules and regulations to make most of these incidents not re-occur. They have the experts, have their experts participate in the solutions AND help monitor their solutions.

3rd – I am afraid that gun shows & private sales must be addressed, if a private individual sells at a gun show, or privately, the paperwork must be submitted through a licensed gun dealer.

I’m a gun owner, and think these incidents are not excusable, so unfortunately parents/gun owners MUST take ownership of THEIR weapons. I know there is no perfect solution.

Good Luck on your challenge.

Location: Lincoln NE

I would very much appreciate a chance work with you and your staff on job creation and safety for schools. I need only a six month appointment.

Location: Burns Harbor, Indiana

Gun Control is an insurmountable project that would only,at best,lessen our security against threats to law abiding citizens. It’s really a very simple, common sense equation that provides the best solution now and going forward. Schools are unique in the fact that they assemble large numbers of our innocent children as well as dedicated staff to provide education. That being the case,we have the responsibility to ensure that it is a safe environment for all. The word ‘consequence’ is what allows our police officers to do their jobs as we know that they are prepared and equipped to deliver the ultimate solution to any criminal. My suggestion is to prepare our schools with the ‘consequence’.Armed Principals,Admin,selected teachers to protect all wings and alert systems tied to existing communications,gun training with local police depts.,as well as practice drills to maintain readiness.How many would be alive today in Newtown if this was installed? Cowards avoid consequences via suicide. Any armed aggressor on school grounds deserves the consequences. We cannot prevent insanity but we can limit the horrific costs to innocent victims. Educators and students deserve this level of security.

Location: Cambridge,MN

Couldn’t we add a psychological evaluation as a prerequisite for obtaining a firearm? Obviously, the criminal background check is hugely important but it does not effectively screen the those individuals who may be predisposed to committing acts of random violence.

Clearly, it would be cumbersome to implement and far from 100% effective but it strikes at the heart of the problem. As a component of the application process, prospective gun owners could be required to undergo a psychological evaluation at their own cost (submitted directly by the licensed psychologist directly to the screening agency). Surely some commonalities have been identified in the profiles of those who commit acts of mass murder. The psychologist could look for signs of those markers and, if those traits are identified, it’s a disqualifier. (I’m talking about major disorders such as paranoid schizophrenia.)

There will undoubtedly be 1000 reasons why this wouldn’t work, such as people could forge the evaluation results or the evaluation would be too nebulous. Again, this isn’t perfect but, in my opinion, it’s the only thing that specifically and directly targets the cause of mass murder. It may also be a suggestion that gun lobbies, such as the NRA, would be willing to entertain.

Location: Santa Clara, CA

make medical marijuana legal everywhere

Location: little Suamico Wi

As an undergraduate science major, I became quite familiar with the sudden and dramatic changes once a precipitating event occurs. In “Chasing Ice”; we can witness photographic evidence of the rapid meltdown of the Arctic….. it’s going! I did hear the scientist say & show us exactly that fact. We need to take rapid action if we want to save the Antarctic while it is still possible, our future depends on it.

Please be the President who jumped right over oil, and moved us directly into alternative energy sources. Our environment cannot take any more oil. We are chasing obsolete dreams to tap oil in North America, we don’t want it, it’s poison….. it’s the time to invest in building the in infrastructure for electric vehicles & associated filling stations. We need to support a mass conversion to solar power (the technology is finally ready and affordable). Why pollute our environment further chasing after oil? We cannot say where the world crops will be grown in 40 years (with the climate changing), we need to salvage the earth and go cold turkey on the oil ASAP. North American oil will pollute as well or more than foreign oil, especially if we subsidize it, and make it cheaper.

Please be “our greatest President”, the one who orchestrates the changes required to “stop our course”; essentially saving life on Earth for future generations. There is no way except to cease our use of Oil & other pollutants, sooner is better than later.

Did you promise us change? We are ready!

Location: TVC, MI

They go on the strange paradox, decided only to be undecided,
resolved to be irresolute, adamant for adrift, solid for fluidity,
all-powerful to be impotent. . . . Owing to past neglect, in the
face of the plainest warnings, we have entered upon a period of
danger. The era of procrastination, of half measures, of soothing
and baffling expedience of delays, is coming to its close. In its
place we are entering a period of consequences. . . . We cannot
avoid this period, we are in it now. . . .

After 50 years of thought and study of Human impact on the Earth’s environment, how can you even consider increasing the expansion of oil production in North America?

Isn’t it prudent to move to alternative/clean energy now?

Location: Traverse City, MI