An ill-timed bill was introduced by a Pennsylvania state representative last week in support of Second Amendment rights.

The bill, if passed, would prohibit any government agency from keeping a database of privately owned firearms and would also permit domestic abuse victims to obtain 90-day gun licenses to protect themselves.

Although statements have been released saying the shootings at Virginia Tech did not prompt the bill, it is irresponsible and insensitive to introduce a bill that would allow easier access to guns and would limit police efforts in investigations two weeks after the event.

Police rely heavily on databases when looking into gun ownership. Under the new bill, police would be forced to directly contact gun manufacturers in order to obtain gun ownership information. Time is a critical component when investigating crimes, especially those involving guns.

It is a deterrence to police in their efforts to make cities safer.

According to philly.com, since the beginning of this year, Philadelphia has reported 136 homicides -- more than New York City, a much larger metropolis. It's more important than ever that police have an easily accessible record of gun owners.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, who introduced the bill, said he believes such databases are unconstitutional and in violation of federal law. However, these databases do not violate any citizens' rights.

Most gun owners are responsible buyers, and any person who purchases any gun understands that records are kept of their purchase. It is an inherent risk when buying a firearm.

The second part of the bill allows domestic-abuse victims to obtain temporary licenses to protect themselves.

The concept of domestic violence became all too apparent in Centre County on April 8 when Benjamin Barone, 35, of Williamsport, lured his estranged wife to a Sheetz near Mill Hall and shot her, then killed himself. Jodi Barone, 36, of State College, had come to meet her husband where she expected to exchange custody of their three-year-old daughter.

It is a tragedy that Jodi Barone's life was cut short because of a poor decision by her husband.

However, more lenient gun laws would not have helped the situation and will not aid other cases of domestic dispute.

Permitting more people to obtain guns will only further the violence, not end it.

With the nation's focus on the issue of gun control, it is important to keep in mind that there can be tragic consequences to easing up on the law. Debate will continue about whether or not stricter gun laws could have prevented tragedies such as Virginia Tech, but it is clear that Metcalfe's bill does not aid anybody.

Responsible gun owners understand they have no reason to worry about the government knowning about their firearms.

This isn't a matter of privacy; it's a matter of common sense.