Hard feelings, fists and knives do not commit mass murders. The common denominator: a gun and someone to pull the trigger.
But, come on, we know all that. We know, too, at least we should by now, that often a mentally troubled individual is wielding the weapon. And in our heart of hearts, we know that “thoughts and prayers” won’t do.
Instead, we thank the brave first responders. Denounce and jail the shooter — if he is still alive. Hold prayer vigils. Conduct serial funerals. Bury the dead. And, as a nation, stop right there, ignoring the cancer of mass-casualty attacks invading every corner of our national body.
Oh, there will be condemnation of gun violence announced in high dudgeon. The gun-control debate, however, has been reduced to an exercise that allows both sides to empty themselves of the venom they have for each other.
Guns haven’t gone anywhere. Neither have those who would use them. Nonetheless, this is exactly where we find ourselves, year after bloody year of mass shootings.
And immediately after a slaughter, we are told by gun supporters in Congress and on cable talk shows that now is not the time to have a “conversation” about those weapons — that we need to gather all the facts — that we aren’t done mourning, blah, blah, blah.
