The time has long past when the saner among us must stop hiding behind decisions made more than 200 years ago by the Founding Fathers. The “right to bear arms” has become mired in a politically motivated quagmire that continues to drag on and on and on.
But while members of Congress and the president bicker among themselves and walk gingerly so as not to upset their constituents, innocent children and adults are being shot and killed by deranged gunmen — often for reasons that we will never know.
The recent shooting in Florida serves as yet another example of why our country must institute greater gun control, the least of which should be a ban on assault weapons. But we aren’t optimistic that any real change will come following this latest mass murder. Sure, there will be conversations and listening tours. We will hear muffled comments are mental health care and how challenges of mental health must be addressed with more resolve.
But the guns won’t go anywhere, we fear. The laws will not change — at least not in any significant way. And inevitably, in some other city, in some other high school or elementary school, in some other park or theater or festival, someone will take aim at men, women and children who have done nothing to the gunmen and become his or her target practice.
Most other countries that are considered leaders on the planet have made swift and long-lasting changes to avoid repeats of mass murders by gun-slinging citizens. When will America get on board?
How many more children must die? Las Vegas, Orlando, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Columbine, Aurora . . . When will enough be enough?