In our First Amendment is the right to free speech. Parallel to that we have parameters of responsibility. It’s illegal to yell “fire!” in a crowded theater (unless there is one.) We have provisions against libel as well as making terroristic threats and acts.

These provisions have been around for years. Yet we still have free speech with broad parameters. Bottom line, there has been no “slippery slope” that is such a handy excuse for some people.

Now let’s talk about guns. President Obama this week made recommendations that would increase the intensity of background checks, will put tighter regulations on gun merchants, provides for greater gun safety and addresses the mental illness factor when it comes to gun purchases as well as treating those with mental disorders.

He made it clear that his efforts will not disembowel the Second Amendment and has no intention of disallowing law- abiding citizens from being armed. There is no more of a slippery slope there than there has been for freedom of speech. In a world more crowded and more violent, what he is suggesting is common sense.

Many of us are gun owners who already abide by existing laws in this regard and have nothing to fear. And it’s time for responsible and clear thinking gun owners to support reasonable actions that may save lives.

Hunters, collectors, target shooters and those who feel the need to defend themselves and their homes with firearms are not threatened.

Obama was correct in stating that these provisions won’t come over night. But he footnoted that comment by saying women did not get their right to vote over night. Nor did African Americans gain the right not to be owned as slaves over night.

If we study the Constitution and what we claim as our rights,  we can see where there are overlaps in rights and responsibilities.

Obama offered such an example: That church congregation that was massacred in Charleston, S.C., had a right to peacefully assemble. And those elementary students in Newtown who were slaughtered  had a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But such rights are mere words on paper if in fact an equal tandem of responsibilities are not embraced.

We would expect some lawmakers will be afraid to support any actions of this sort for fear of losing their jobs. They should be in fear of losing their jobs because they don’t support something that meets the litmus test of common sense. An enlightened public is crucial to this issue.