The debate over forcing 47 million uninsured Americans to buy health care coverage inspires me to make a bold suggestion to our president about another needed reform - mandatory gun ownership.

In a country of 309 million people only about 200 million own a gun. Almost 109 people are without the means to protect themselves. This is an outrage!

No doubt some folks can't purchase a gun and minimal training because of the high cost. No problem. The bill would provide a $1,000 voucher for every adult who makes less than $250,000 a year to purchase an "acceptable gun" from a government-controlled source of supply. And don't tell me that millions of adult don't want a gun. That would be astonishing and unbelievable.

Here is my plan: Congress should draft a 2,000-page bill that imposes a 2.5 percent tax on every adult who does not purchase a government-approved "acceptable gun" and adequate training on its use.

Just imagine how stimulating this bill would be for the gun and training industries. Thousands of jobs would be "saved" or created. And this bill would quantifiably save lives and be a wonderful step forward for our civilization. Contemplate a world where everyone has the means to protect themselves from those who would do us harm. This proposal is on the right side of history.

Gordon L. Shadle, Albany