THERE is such pain and suffering, such waste, and such expansive ritual over violence from madmen and their guns. When does a democratic nation cross the line from reasonable danger to dangerous reasoning?

When the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms) was written – when America was a frontier, a new country, whatever – there were no "assault rifles with a high capacity clip" nor did our forefathers know of the technology of gun manufacturing that we have today. And, so following the horrific killings in Aurora, Colo., begins the ceremony of futility (which is well on its way to ending).

First we hear the ritual condemnations of this "senseless violent act" followed by endless church-centered expressed sympathies. In my view, what is needed, immediately, is a reasonable and logical discussion in Congress of how to turn around the gun culture and make it difficult – not easy – for access to these horrific weapons. In fact, a serious discussion is warranted on the basic manufacturing of these weapons.

By the way, whatever happened to the previous law passed by Congress banning assault weapons? Oh my God, Congress let this short-term ban lapse!

The gun manufacturers, the National Rifle Association, and the other believers in the art of personal security all effectively lobby our Congress for the unlimited manufacturing of guns and the unlimited right to purchase them. The campaign slogan is: “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Further, the pro-gun lobby is already saying, “If only those theatergoers (in Aurora) had been armed, the gunman could have been stopped.” What utter nonsense.

What unthinkable ideas coming from this element in our society. But, politicians (at all levels) will posture; clergy will pontificate. Citizens will be apathetic and all the folks will continue to watch the violent Hollywood movies that go on making the violence somehow romantic and fun on the picture screen.

Whatever has come of our commitment to or the mandate for domestic tranquility and the safety of the populace? Doesn’t government have a responsibility to protect us against this stupid notion expressed by the pro-gun manufacturing lobby? Sure there are societies such as Switzerland that rarely have gun violence when all the Swiss folks own and have access to guns. Yes, it’s different in other places.

So what we Americans have is a record of mass violence by individuals who want to kill for some reason; insanity, perhaps. Mental health is a factor, and untreated psychosis and emotional rage can lead to violence. However, psychiatric illness alone does not necessary correlate with violence; it is speculation for the most part. The question of prevention is complicated and difficult to find. But, certainly controls can be found to limit direct and easy access to assault weapons. Let us endeavor to find reasonable and sane regulations on guns.