By Judge Greg Mathis

Guns don't kill, people do. This pro-gun slogan, at first, seems to speak truth. But the statement is only partially true. Take the recent shootings at Virginia Tech: a disturbed young man kills 31 people and wounds several more before taking his own life. Prior to the shootings, he'd legally purchased two weapons and 19 rounds of ammunition, despite court orders to seek psychiatric counseling and several harassment complaints filed against him. While he was ultimately responsible for making the decision to aim and pull the trigger, widespread gun availability made it quite easy for this troubled soul to kill another person.

Gun control can't put an end to senseless murders - we'll have to also change the hearts and minds of individuals. But stiffer laws that make it difficult for would-be killers to get guns can help.

Federal law prohibits gun purchases by people convicted of serious crimes, committed to mental institutions against their will, and convicted of domestic violence and others. While states provide records of convictions and other incidents that disqualify a gun purchase to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) databases that are used for background checks, serious psychiatric disorders are not reported. According to the FBI, about half the states don't report such disorders. They aren't required to. So, even though the Virginia Tech shooter had once been declared a "threat" to himself and others by a judge, when he purchased both of his weapons, the quickie background check - it takes less than three minutes - came back clean. We can thank the National Rifle Association (NRA) for these lax gun laws that allow madmen to legally purchase weapons.

The NRA is the largest gun-supporting lobby in the country; it has more than 3 million members and it spends millions of dollars each year, pumping money into the pockets of politicians and fighting any laws that may restrict access to guns. The NRA does not support any legislation that will prohibit an individual from buying a gun or that will make guns unattractive to buyers. Child safety locks on guns, the elimination of semi-automatic weapons, a waiting period on gun purchases – the NRA has lobbied against all of these laws. The group would have us believe that there is no proof gun control prevents crime. But restricting gun access to individuals who are likely to commit crimes would help. Requiring states to report psychiatric disorders to FBI databases is a place to start.

You can make a difference. With the 2008 elections fast approaching, gun control is likely to become a hot campaign issue. Call your local legislator, ask them to create and advocate for laws that require states to report psychiatric disorders, and then ask them to support the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Among other things, NVDRS tracks gun deaths. With more data, gun control advocates will be able to strengthen their arguments. While they may never match the NRA in dollars, they will be able to beat them with the data.

We can't legislate our way out of society's problems. But with laws that consider the well being of the country's citizens, we can begin to stem some of the senseless violence that has taken far too many lives.

Editor’s note: Judge Greg Mathis is national vice president of Rainbow PUSH and a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.