Children’s video absolving girl who shot their father scuttles any hope of change to nation’s fixation with guns.
Well that's nice. The four children of the gun instructor shot dead a couple of weeks ago while giving a 9-year-old lessons on firing an Uzi submachine gun at the Bullets and Burgers shooting range in Arizona have issued a video telling the girl she shouldn't blame herself and they love her. "Some day, we hope we can meet you, hug you and tell you that it's okay," one of his young sons says.
Forgiveness, like second chances, is one of the fingers that rest on America's heart strings. When the strumming comes from children as composed and as cute-looking as those of the late Charlie Vacca it becomes irresistible. Thus, the girl with the ponytail and pink shorts, who remains unnamed, is absolved; the country can move on.
Moving on is America's preferred response to gun tragedies.
Wednesday was the first anniversary of the Navy Yard shooting in Washington DC when contract worker Aaron Alexis opened fire and mowed down 12 people. It happened barely 1.5km from the chambers of Congress where the nation's laws are made. Or, where gun control is concerned, not made. There was a memorial service at the Navy Yard this week, though the rest of the country barely noticed.