The firearm was a simple shotgun. This should have ZERO bearing on the discussion on AR’s. Lets keep the differences between Sandy Hook and Taft in proper perspective. One person was critically injured compared to 26 deaths in Connecticut. The violence we are seeing is not some monolythic problem. While guns are typically the chosen weapon in these events, there is a much deeper problem going out there than guns. While certain guns are problematic in terms of the amount of damage they can cause, the root of the problem is we, as a society, have regressed in our ability to mediate conflict and assist others in doing the same. Desperate people commit desperate acts when they perceive there are no other options. Media hasn’t helped with much of the programming focussing on violence and acts of revenge as being the most effective way to cease conflict. When, as a nation, we start to focus more on cooperation over competition, compromise over holding the line, and especially forgiveness over holding grudges, then we will see a decrease in violence with or without gun control.
