It’s amusing to me that the Charleston Gazette’s headline for their editorial, “Insanity” identifies the real source of the problem behind the murders they highight, while the piece itself proves that the Gazette’s editorial staff just doesn’t get it.

Among his other well-written posts, Kevin Baker often highlights stories of murders and other violent crimes in England, where guns are banned. He highlights the fact that it is the criminals and their insanity^[a], not the weapons that they use.

It’s also amusing to me that the Gazette, in their editorial genius, use the case of Matthew Murray, whose rampage was stopped by… a gun. The Gazette mentions this story, and Jeanne Assam’s heroism, and completely glosses over the fact that this case is proof not of the evil inherent in guns, but that guns are merely a tool that can be used for good or evil (or neutral — see: target shooting).

Finally, the Gazette mentions these stories in an attempt to give its take on the upcoming DC vs. Heller case:

Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court is to rule on whether cities can ban pistol ownership. Since the high court is dominated by conservatives appointed by Republican presidents — and the GOP is in league with the gun lobby — it’s doubtful that cities will be allowed to protect people in this manner.

I would’ve worded that last paragraph a little differently:

Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court is to rule on whether cities can ban pistol ownership. Since the high court is no longer dominated by liberals who care more about what they think should be in the Constitution rather than judging based on what’s actually there, it is hopeful that cities will no longer be allowed to prevent people from protecting themselves and others in this manner.

Unfortunately, though, the Gazette just doesn’t get it.

1. I’m using the word insanity in a completely non-clinical sense here — I am not saying that those with mental health issues are somehow the cause of these problems, but that those who commit these crimes forego their right to be considered civilized or sane when they decide to do these things. [↩]