WHAT’s IT ALL MEAN?

   As a nation we mourn the loss of innocent lives as the result of two back-to-back mass shootings.  It’s terrible and shocks the conscience of our nation. 

   We’ve had previous mass shootings as long as over 50 years ago.  August 1966 a guy ascended the Clock Tower on the University of Texas campus and with a rifle killed 17 and injured 31 people.  Another was the San Isidro McDonalds mass shooting July 1984 killing 21 and injuring 19 people.  And, there are others more recently.

   Politicians of every stripe rush to the closest TV microphones in the immediate aftermath of each mass killing.   They have a mixed variety of solutions. They call for gun control, assault weapons ban, firearms registration, expanded background checks, red flags, ban ammo clips, license to purchase ammo, etc. There is even much ado to get rid of the 2nd Amendment.

   We, the public, have heard all this before.  It’s the same.   After  a while it quiets down as the news hounds and politicians seek other sensational headlines.  Nothing is done to take care of the problem.

   There is no easy short term solution.  I’m fearful that in the rush to pass more legislation it will become even more convoluted.  Just what is meant by red flags?  Does that mean kids are encouraged to expose others they perceive as a threat?  That’s reminiscent of the Nazis prior to and during WW II encouraging kids to expose their parents and friends.  Expanded background checks?  Does that mean various governmental authorities will dig deep into your personal life exposing all manner of things?  Don’t we have something called due process?

   We must dispel political theatrics and tread lightly, thoughtfully and with profound reason.  I’m not overly optimistic.