One Week, Two Mass Shootings

The gun violence in a grocery store in Boulder, CO, yesterday that took 10 lives, including a police officer, was the second such mass casualty incident in the span of a week. Last week's killing of eight people, including six Asian women, in Georgia is still being investigated, and the investigation into yesterday's tragedy is expected to take several days. In both cases, a disturbed man with a long gun committed the heinous crimes; both shooters are in custody. The Colorado shooting is another in a line that extends from Columbine High School to a theater in Aurora.

There is a numbness that settles in after each event like this, as if this will be a part of our lives going forward. Nothing seems to shock the system any more out of its funk, not killing elementary school kids, not mowing down dozens at a Las Vegas music event. It's typically a one-week story these days.

Ironically, the National Rifle Rampage Association has been back on its heels for the better part of two years, facing internal strife and accusations of misappropriation of funds, and what is likely to be a successful suit against it by the State of New York seeking its breakup. Indeed, the NRA filed for bankruptcy last January in an effort to escape the State of New York's suit. One would think now is the time to push for gun safety laws, universal background checks, and limiting magazine capacities.  But that's what you would have thought would happen after Columbine, Las Vegas, El Paso, etc.  Even though the House recently passed legislation to strengthen and expand background checks, it will face fierce Republican opposition in the Senate.  In the meantime, sending thoughts and prayers won't stop the routine carnage;  taking action by passing gun safety laws and strict enforcement will go a long way if we can ever crack the Republican lock.

(photo: Police evacuate the grocery store in Boulder. Chet Strange / Getty Images)