No, guns don’t kill people. But people who have easy access to them do.
For decades the United States has resisted any move toward gun control, the population clinging to the Second Amendment like a religion.
Even now, in the wake of 27 deaths at Newtown, Conn.’s Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday, gun zealots are looking to place blame anywhere and everywhere else.
The killer was mentally ill, they say. He was brought up in a culture of violent video games and graphically disturbing Hollywood movies.
That may be true. But so were millions of Canadian, British, Australian and Japanese children.
Canada’s annual gun homicide rate, at last count, was less than 60. Japan’s latest number is less than 10. The United States was at about 10,000.
Can you see a difference?
In the first four countries, gun controls are in place. Assault rifles are not allowed.
Access to weapons of mass destructions like the ones used to kill 20 six and seven-year olds last week, is highly restricted.
Democratic senators are saying enough is enough and promise a move to ban automatic weapons in the New Year. Here’s hoping they ignore the cries of the NRA and follow through. It’s about time.
