Talking with non-fanatical gun owners: they point out that only a tiny fraction of guns are misused.

Nonetheless, that fraction adds up to a measurable increment in danger for those living in a house with a gun. They are right that background checks would not stop all gun killings, but background checks would not do much harm.

I think people should need to get a license to own a gun. All the checking would be done when you apply for a license; then the check at the time of buying a gun would only be to verify that your license is still valid. The license could require training in safety practices.

If substantial evidence appears that you are connected with terrorism, a court could cancel your license.