Over the past two weeks, I have been trying to square my own personal views on gun possession--both viscerally and legally--with the glut of illegal handguns that seem to be committing the majority of violence in this City. While I believe firmly believe in the Second Ammendment, my conclusion has largely been that we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to gun violence for fear of retribution from the NRA. I am a gunowner, but I believe a lot of what the NRA says to be outright advocacy for gun manufacturers, and for that reason, am not a member.

This is why I thought taxation of handguns, similar to cigarettes was such a good idea. However, I understand that the majority of illegal sales would not be affected. Enter today's Daily News opinion section.

In a letter to the editor today, a reader posited the idea of taxing ammunition. DING!--that is the sound of the lightbulb turning on over my head. Criminals do not buy illegal handguns from legal sources, true enough, but purchasing ammunition is a much more lenient endeavor. With the ammount of ammunition it takes to stock and become proficient with a handgun, wouldn't heavy excise taxes there make sense?

This also opens the door for differential taxation. A law could make exceptions for birdshot and other shotgun loads and rifle loads. In all, I think it would go a lot easier than working to ban guns entirely, something I just can't get on board with.

Overall, this is something I would not mind paying for. I shoot fairly regularly, and buy in bulk. Paying an increase of even 50 percent on handgun ammunition would not bother me, so long as I knew the proceeds would go towards enforcing gun laws. Would I shoot less? Absolutely, price is not inelastic to me or anyone else. However, it would produce cash for law enforcement without actually limiting rural residents rights to own and use firearms for recreation.

Will they cry foul? Yeah, we all hate taxes. Is it a good idea? What does everyone else think?