I have a few hardliner conservative friends and they use the most ridiculous arguments against passing gun control laws and dredge up very suspect "studies" that say gun laws have little/no impact on public safety. At this point, it is willful and deliberate denial of the problem that lax gun laws allow for.

Even more frustrating is the snide comments about schools being gun free zones and "this wouldn't have happened if a good guy with a gun was there"....

I'm all for gun ownership, but with requirements on par with owning a car or motorcycle.
-the individual must be trained, competent in its use, and of sound mind.
-the owner must be licensed and have the license renewed ever so often.
-the guns must be registered and sales recorded.
-if the gun is stolen, it must be reported immediately or the owner is liable for crimes committed with it.