EDITORIAL - Gun control an issue US presidential bets should face

It has happened yet again. By again we mean another school shooting in the US.

The latest tragedy happened at the Apalachee High School in the state of Georgia last Wednesday when a 14-year-old opened fire at people in his school, killing two of his fellow pupils and two teachers.

Harrowing accounts describe how students were messaging loved ones during the attack.

The suspect’s father now faces charges for allowing his son’s possession of a high-powered firearm, in this case the now-infamous Assault Rifle-15 (AR-15). In fact, he more than allowed it as he gifted it to his son as a holiday present.

With the debate between the two contenders for US presidency, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump settled, including the “hot mike” issue, here comes another issue that both of them should address during the debate and beyond; gun control.

Again, this isn’t about what guns are available to the American public; guns by themselves do not hurt people. A gun is an inert object; it doesn’t become deadly until it is wielded by someone who has “lost it”.

The issue has always been about who should get access to guns, no matter what kind. As proven by many people who own AR-15s but who don’t go on murderous rampages, there are those who deserve to get guns and those who don’t.

The issue has always been about making sure those who shouldn’t have guns --including 14-year-olds with obvious lack of judgment-- never get their finger on a trigger in the first place.

Again, this may be an uphill struggle. Gun culture is so ingrained in the US that many see it as an affront to limit gun ownership rights. And in 30 US states children can legally own a gun or rifle. Yes, many are considered too young to drive or drink, but already old enough to own a gun.

We want to hear what the two candidates plan to do about guns during the debate, but better still, see what action they will take after.

Whoever becomes US president in November has the chance to make changes to gun control and gun laws. Failure to address this issue will change nothing. And by changing nothing school shootings will continue and more young people will continue to die painfully, tragically, and needlessly.