Another school shooting, too many to keep track of. At least three deaths so far in Washington State, and news reports tell us what we’ve heard before: “Authorities are still trying to determine the motive.” Our “authorities” are so convinced that trying to track down the motive behind a senseless act makes sense that they studiously avoid the much more important question: How did the killer find the means to enact his crazy fantasies? How did the gun get into his hands? Who manufactured the agent of death? Who sold it? Who profited from its manufacture and sale? Who made it available to a murderer, wittingly or unwittingly? What do these manufacturers, retailers, and owners owe society for fostering death and destruction?

Our “authorities” ignore these critical issues, because to do otherwise invites the umbrage of the National Rifle Association and its supporters. The religion – the extremism – of the gun lobby is much more of a threat to our society than the ebola virus. Guns breed violence.