Kerby Anderson

Two weeks ago, I explained that there are no simple solutions when it comes to violence in America. At the time, I was talking about the horrible news of the school shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school. The latest violent acts once again illustrate this principle.

First, there was the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a train in Charlotte. She had just finished working at a pizzeria when the passenger behind her pulled out a knife. He quickly lunged forward, swung his arm over the seat, and stabbed her. She died because he had a knife. As has been said so many times before, this country will never ban knives.

Second has been the murder of Charlie Kirk. Some liberal pundits were tempted to argue his rejection of gun control was the reason he was killed. But then authorities found the rifle. It has been described as a “older-model .30 caliber hunting rifle.” Moreover, it was a “bolt-action rifle” which means it was not a semi-automatic rifle and not a rifle that has what proponents of gun control have called a “high-capacity magazine.”

Here’s the issue. This is exactly the kind of rifle that nearly all gun control advocates say they are NOT trying to ban. This gun is legal in all 50 states. This gun is legal in Canada. It’s even legal in England and in most European countries. It is unlikely to ever be banned.

I might mention one similarity. The gun magazines of the Minnesota shooter had messages like “Kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” The bullet casings of the Utah shooter had messages like “Hey fascist! Catch!”

These murders occurred because killers used weapons we will never ban. That is why we must focus on the person holding the weapon.