Dayton and El Paso are still so fresh that we have not even been able to bury our dead. We are reeling. And we struggle with what to do now.
We are now engaged in a fight over whether guns kill people or people do. It is an unproductive food-fight. Red Flag legislation is beginning to be floated, but the Toomey-Manchin bill on background checks is off the table for now. If the Senate is unable to muster the courage to confront this seemingly simple issue, but surprisingly risky statesmanship, there are important things they can do. First and foremost is to write legislation regarding domestic terrorism that gives the Department of Justice and law enforcement the ability and requisite funding to infiltrate the groups and preempt the violence that is plaguing us, while maintaining bedrock civil liberties of free speech and due process.
This important next step, however, does nothing to address the other issues of gun violence. Suicide, crimes of passion, gang violence remain real threats that take thousands of lives in our country every year. These do not get the attention that mass casualty events command, but they are no less horrific. Essentially, guns used by people kill people. The proliferation of guns and the willingness of people to use them are both responsible for the carnage that is part of American culture.
Reducing the bloodshed is where we should be focused. The Second Amendment is not under assault, we are. Let us try to start the dialogues that can make a difference while respecting the concerns and rights of citizens. The most fundamental right being the right to life.