We can all agree with the gun lobby that we need to concentrate on identifying, and then treating, those with mental affliction or disease.

Unfortunately, the old means of dealing with such people (in mental hospitals under the supervision of trained staff) was abolished under Reagan-Thatcher to save money. Now the Republicans have, or should have a dilemma. You cannot safeguard the public properly from the crazies without spending money on treatment, people trained in rehabilitation and, in extreme cases, premises where the severely ill can be cared for in a safe environment. The mentally ill and the homeless, dumped on the street, have no money to pay for treatment. So this means raising taxes or paying higher healthcare premiums. Either way, the cost would filter through to the public.

Ouch!

So this common sense approach will go nowhere. The thickness of the wallet will always be preferred to the vague chance of being killed by a madman. Nearly 30,000 people a year will continue to die of gunshot wounds every year in the US, a large proportion being suicides. Many of those involved could be saved if they were identified and treated. Hypocrisy rules in a country supposed to be majority Christian.

Intelligent Epicureans (all Epicureans are intelligent!) will be glad to pay a bit more in tax if they know they will be safe themselves and that vulnerable and sick people are in a safe place, being looked after and treated. That is the decent and moral approach that saves lives and allows people to recover and regain their dignity.