We need commonsense gun control now, including the following:

* Ban civilian ownership of weapons designed for warfare, including assault weapons.

* Close the gun show loophole.

* Limit high capacity ammunition magazines.

* Create certificates of ownership for firearms, similar to automobiles, which should be governed by similar regulations, including the need for training, testing, and insurance.

I'm a MoveOn member. I'm a gun owner. I'm a Christian. I'm a Grammy-winning country music producer. And I'm asking us to come together, in the wake of one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history, and stand up to the NRA by calling for an end to senseless gun violence.

El Paso. Dayton. Gilroy. Santa Fe, TX. Parkland. Sutherland Springs. Las Vegas. Sandy Hook. Columbine. Aurora. Virginia Tech. How many more innocent victims must die at the hands of an antiquated and oft-misinterpreted amendment?

Enough. It's time to say that thoughts and prayers are no longer enough in the face of gun-related tragedies. We need meaningful action.

Gun control doesn't mean no guns. I'm a gun owner, and I'm not suggesting that we take guns away. I'm suggesting that we put tighter controls on acquiring and owning them.

We must ban assault weapons and all weapons of war. We simply cannot fast track the use of silencers or allow public access to armor-piercing ammunition. Gun show loopholes must be stopped. Ammunition should not be sold online. Mandatory wait periods should be enforced, during which time a thorough background check, psychological and medical evaluation, and character references should be completed.

More accountability should be placed in the hands of retailers. When patrons refuse wait periods, authorities should be notified. Training and testing should be mandatory, as should a renewal process that includes many of the above-mentioned evaluation terms.

I would hope that we could all agree to submit ourselves to these terms. Currently, it's easier to go to a gun show and pick up a firearm than it is to go to the local pharmacy and buy cold medication. Acquiring and owning a gun should be at least as controlled as getting a license to drive a car.

Gun control alone is not the whole of the solution, but it's a start. And if it saves one sweet life, it's worth it.