This is a good take on the reaction to the Arizona shootings from some:  Before Talking About Gun Control, First Learn Something About Guns! Pay particular attention to the section on the “assault weapons” ban, because it duplicates what I’ve been saying for years about the stupidity of such legislation.  Excerpt:

Unfortunately for this nation, we can’t have an honest discussion about firearms because neither the mainstream media nor the gun banners in the Democratic Party feel that they should educate themselves to a passable level of understanding about firearms and what they are (and are not) before trying to implement laws based on fear, disinformation, and myth. Instead they prefer ignorance. It is too bad that is the weapon they prefer to wield so indiscriminately.

Plenty of ‘activists’ on plenty of topics wield ignorance with staggering indiscretion.  This is just one more case.

I was and still am in favor of instant background checks, even though I think the impact on crime rates has been minimal.  But handgun bans, “assault weapon” bans, and most other gun control legislation proposed by these gomers is childishly stupid.

But then, all too many in our government seem to thrive on acts of childish stupidity.