Despite the significant decrease in violent crime over the past few decades, the internet and the 24-hour news media conglomerates barrage us with frantic yellow journalism every time there is a tragic murder or mass shooting. Instead of trying to address the root problems in society, the proffered solution is typically turning innocent people into criminals by legislative fiat. Remember, government laws result in sending people with guns to threaten peaceful people. That is simply not an acceptable solution, either morally or rationally. Instead, I have a few practical solutions that actually work with no legislation required.

1. Learn the basic rules of gun safety.

1. Always treat every gun as if it is loaded.
2. Never point a gun at anything you do not wish to shoot.
3. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
4. Keep the gun on 'safe' until you intend to fire.
5. Be sure of your target, and know what is beyond it. If in doubt, don't take the shot.

Learn these rules, and teach them to your kids. They will keep everyone far safer than any number of laws politicians may pass. Even if you do not own a gun, know what not to do. You can practice all of this with a water pistol or NERF blaster, power tools, and anything else with a gun-like profile or controls. Make it muscle memory to never press a trigger unless it is deliberate.

2. Have a plan

This applies to any potential emergency, whether it might be fires, earthquakes, winter blizzards, summer windstorms, or a rampage shooter. Know your surroundings and know how to get out, where to take cover, or what can be used in self-defense. This doesn't mean, "be paranoid." Firearm instructor Jeff Cooper devised a color code chart you can use as a mental tool for awareness.

White

Not paying attention. Zoned out. Running by routine. This is how we live by habit. This is the real danger zone. We all do it. Recognize it and practice re-engaging your mind when it wanders.

Yellow

Alert. You can function while watching your surroundings for potential danger. Consider driving a car. Are you looking for wildlife or pedestrians that may walk into your path? Are you looking for motorcycles and bicycles? Do you know who is behind you, who is a couple cars ahead, and what oncoming traffic is doing? What escape or response options are available if something goes wrong?

Note exits, AED device signs, and fire extinguisher locations in buildings. Consider where you can swerve to avoid traffic. Keep an eye out for dog crap when walking through the park. This alertness is "condition yellow," and with practice, we can all strive to exist here.

Orange

Something has caught your attention as a potential danger. Is there a car trying to pass without allowing enough room? Is there a kid running toward the road from a nearby yard? Did a stranger walk into your workplace without a badge? Does your date just give you the heebie-jeebies for no obvious reason?

In condition orange, something requires your attention to determine whether it is a threat or not. Don't ignore danger signals. If it's something innocuous, you can always step back down to condition yellow, but plan to act.

Red

Something is WRONG. A car is veering toward you. A fire has broken out in the restaurant kitchen. Your date slipped something into your drink. You heard a gunshot down the hall in your office building. If you were in condition white, you're in big trouble, because mentally shifting from white to red takes time, and you may not have time. If you're already in condition orange when this happens, you may already have noted potential danger signals and options to respond.

"But what if I'm still completely mistaken?" If you're wrong, you can calm down later. If you're right, you're alive and well instead of dead or injured.

3. Advocate liberty

A significant number of gun deaths are gang-related, and this is heavily influenced by drug prohibition laws that create violent black markets, and a legal system that punishes entrepreneurial activity while trapping people in a system of dependence on the State.

We need less laws, not more, if people who are in violent environments are to have real opportunity to escape and build something new. Like with guns, the instinct to prohibit and regulate is pervasive in every other problem, but these responses are not real solutions. We need freedom. Guns, weed, trade, travel, it's all one concept. Reject those who want just a little* more power over your life. It hasn't worked. It can't work. And if you see a need, find a way to fill it yourself instead of asking government to tax and spend its way to a bad solution. The only gun control that works is self-control.