Stopping blood

I've hunted and killed animals.  And I have enjoyed both activities, even when I didn't even get to see a deer let alone take aim at one.  I don't do those things anymore, but I don't begrudge anybody their right to do the same, nor their right to own and use the weapons which allow them that opportunity.

Still, enough is enough.

The majority of firearm deaths and injuries occur in cases where victims know the person who shot them, and a large portion of those are relatives.

I wish people would actually read the entire 2nd amendment.  It says a well-regulated militia is necessary.  Now you can argue all you want that the populace is what comprises the militia, but the truth is, today, we have the largest and most advanced military in the world, and, along with police departments, they are pretty damned well-trained.  You can also argue that the military is different from the militia, but the key phrase remains "well regulated." 

Right now the populace is not, despite what the NRA and the "pry it from my cold dead hands" crowd say, well regulated and certainly not disciplined or trained.  There is absolutely no reason private citizens need clips larger than ten shells.  There is absolutely no reason private citizens need assault rifles that are solely designed to kill people in a random fashion rather than actually aiming at a target.  There is absolutely no reason that gun shows should be allowed to sell weapons or ammunition without a stringent background check and waiting period.  Will this stop the flow of illegal guns to criminals?  Probably not much, but it will decrease the easy access to weapons to the people who do the majority of killing in this country, namely the people you know.

The recent school shooting in Connecticut, the theater shooting in Colorado, the shopping mall shooting in Arizona have all cost lives.   By most accounts, young men with mental problems were the killers.   By most accounts, they purchased high capacity weapons legally and with relative ease. 

Probably Congress will do little if anything to stem this tide of violence.  Oh sure, they will wring their hands decrying the fate of so many lives cut short.  Collectively as a nation we will also wring our hands.  Some will demand that something, anything be done. 

But like so often before, nothing will change.  Already, as Christmas Day approaches, the hue and cry for gun control is fading in the noise of the Fiscal Cliff. 

We are much to blame ourselves, I think.  We watch with horror at the outrage of murder, yet death comprises our most popular television and film.  Our children double tap the zombies in video games.  We become fascinated with the 24 hour coverage of death and put another pork chop in our mouths.