Aurora Massacre

Today's mass killing in Aurora, CO of at least a dozen people and the wounding of dozens of others, many critically, does not come as a surprise. My comments are not meant as finger-pointing or an exercise in I-told-you-so. For one thing, I am in no position to finger-point to anyone on any subject. For another, there is too much pain and suffering over the carnage for criticism at this time. Nevertheless, as I listen to the bleeding hearts and watch the news reports on TV, there is a part of me that is unsympathetic to people who consistently oppose gun control and still demand support and understanding when the inevitable occurs.

Why does anyone need to carry automatic assault rifles, and why were these weapons legalized after being outlawed? This was one of the four lethal but totally legal weapons carried by this 24 year old (deranged) killer into the movie theatre where he opened fire on the audience and systematically gunned people down. I am not a hunter or gun owner, but I do not believe hunters use these weapons to hunt game. They are designed for use in war or other hostile endeavors against people.

So here is the situation confronting America. The gun lobby is rich and powerful. Most politicians are unwilling to oppose them; the lobby makes generous contributions to its supporters, so only a handful of leaders-- like Mayor Bloomberg of NYC-- is willing to oppose them. Furthermore, large numbers of Americans want to own guns and believe this right to bear arms is safeguarded by the Constitution.

The upshot of this state of affairs is that whether it is Aurora this week, or Columbine High School in the recent past, or Virginia Tech on a different occasion, these outbreaks of carnage are going to keep occurring over and over again, until and unless meaningful restrictions are placed on gun ownership in this country.

First we'll watch the politicians of both parties say their hearts go out to the Aurora victims and their families. Then there will be a day of mourning, and commentators will speak of the grieving process and the need of the families to find closure. We will also hear about the special people who died, and listen to their individual stories as we gaze at their pictures on our TV screens and listen to sad music in the background.

To me, this is hypocritical and inexcusable-- the people should wake up and insist on gun control, and the gun lobby should be reined in. Too many innocent people are being killed, and it will continue until a change is made. I'm not so sympathetic any more.