What kind of 'no': Gun control rejection was about lack of trust in government

Wednesday's vote against gun control was not about people wanting willy nilly, unregulated gun buying or for irresponsible owners to have free access to guns.

It also was not a "no" to taking measures to decrease violence in this country.

And it was not, as was suggested by the powers that be, indifference to the pain expressed by the families of the Newtown victims.

It was a lack of trust -- and a realization that a bill like this is a Band Aid, not a solution.

Citizens are nervous when government, which most think is inefficient and without logic, decides to mess with their rights.

They worry about Step 2 -- and they should. Past experience shows when government gets involved, individual rights suffer.

But that is not the only take-away from Wednesday's vote. There will be more discussion about gun violence in this country -- and there should be.

But no more patches where real solutions are needed. No more soundbites that ignore the real issues.

If we want to prevent another Newtown, let's get serious about talking about what really caused it -- and doing something about it.

Otherwise, we won't achieve anything except more bureaucracy and fewer rights.

Published in Editorials on April 18, 2013 11:12 AM