West central Minnesota and the rest of America were united Friday in grief for the victims of the Colorado movie shootings and in rage for the suspect.
The incident was not even a day old before the debate quickly shifted to a debate of gun rights versus gun control.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued his call over the weekend for President Barack Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney to focus on gun control during this election.
Gun control advocates quickly issued calls on Congress for a renewal of the ban on assault weapons and a ban on highcapacity ammunition magazines.
Gun rights advocates are not taking anything for granted.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gun purchase background checks in Colorado have jumped more than 40 percent since Friday's shooting. Similar gun purchase interest was reported following the Arizona supermarket shooting in 2011 and the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007.
Certainly a tragedy like the Colorado movie shootings boosts interest as well of discussion of more gun control. It is unfortunate that gun control advocates seek to take advantage of this tragic situation.
In reality, gun-related homicides have dropped nearly in half during the past 20 years, according to a USA Today report. The newspaper cited FBI data showing such homicides dropped from 17,075 in 1993 to 8,775 in 2010.
An April poll by Poll Research Group found that Americans are fairly split on gun control, with 49 percent favoring protecting gun rights and 45 percent favoring more gun control.
The reality is that neither presidential candidate nor any other political candidates running in 2012 will be quick to propose additional gun control measures.
It simply will not happen in 2012.
