Tragedy

The massacre in Charleston this past week has dominated the news.  And it has given further impetus to the discussion of race relations in this country following closely on the heels of the several notorious incidents of police shootings of unarmed black persons.  I think this discussion of race is entirely appropriate.

I also think, however, that the issue of racism is largely missing the point of the Charleston slaughter - just as the discussion of mental health issues missed the point after the Newtown carnage.

It is, of course, natural for people to want to know "why" these mass killings occur.  If you're the prosecutor in one of these cases establishing motive is always useful.  On the other hand, if you are really interested in making rational public policy that may reduce the likelihood of future mayhem then I believe that having an honest discussion about the question of "how" these atrocities are perpetrated would be of even greater value.

To my knowledge, President Obama is the sole significant public official to point out the obvious.  This crime, like Newton and Aurora and many before them is about the ability to easily acquire a gun.

Let's say we eliminate racism tomorrow.  And all mental health issues the day after that.

Then by my calculation that would only leave jealousy, greed, religion, ambition and a few hundred other possible motives for someone to commit multiple murders.

Let's get real folks.  Col. Mustard may kill one person in the church with the knife or the candlestick - I can even conceive of him whacking two before someone takes him down.  But nine?  No.

Sadly so long as our public officials - both elected and appointed to the bench - continue to drink from the NRA Kool Aid nothing will change.  There will be more pointless bloodshed.  More red herrings will be trolled by the Second Amendment fetishists and the media will happily take the bait.

So what would you do, Elmer?

Well, if I were omnipotent I would ban all handguns.  And I would prohibit the ownership of any long-gun not clearly designed for hunting - and ownership would be contingent on passing a rigorous gun safety course and having the ability to store your weapon in a secure manner.

But what about the Second Amendment?

The Second Amendment is simply a part of the Constitution.  It can be amended, or perhaps more plausibly, it can be reinterpreted.  The most recent Supreme Court decisions on this issue are ludicrous on their face.

But what about self-defense?

Buy bear spray.  It works better than guns on bears which are known to be meaner, stronger and quite possibly smarter than your average heroin addict and it won't put your daughter's boyfriend in the grave when you spray him sneaking into the house.

Grow a pair guys.