A Compromise on Semi-Automatic Weapons

For those states that, unlike Massachusetts, are unable to pass a ban on semi-automatic weapons, there is a possible compromise. Why not ban private ownership of those weapons, but license gun ranges to provide them for use on their premises? It’s hard to imagine another safe place to use them anyway, and aficionados could still blast away. Some sort of ban on these weapons is the only way to put a dent into mass-shooter events. Because there are far too many angry, alienated men to monitor, and people with serious mental illnesses are not the ones doing the shooting, improving mental health treatment (which this administration shows no signs of doing anyway) would do little to address the problem. Full-on licensing of all firearms and expanding background checks to all sales might help as well, but the first step is to get semi-automatic weapons back out of private hands except in controlled (and licensed) settings.