Gun debates can wait

No one should be surprised that attempts were heard almost immediately to inject the tragic shooting spree at Virginia Tech this week into the ongoing debate over gun control. Such a thing is not without historical precedence.

In June of 1968, Sen. Robert Kennedy's assassination was followed immediately by intense debates in Congress over gun control measures, and by President Lyndon B. Johnson making a televised speech asking lawmakers, "in the name of sanity, in the name of safety, and in the name of an aroused nation to give America the gun control law it needs."

That was inappropriate, just as it was inappropriate to pass the Patriot Act in the heat of emotions following the attacks of 9/11. It also was inappropriate for some members of Congress to begin advocating tougher gun laws almost as soon as the shots ended on Monday.

For one thing, it's difficult right now to know if anything could have helped. Virginia law already allows state universities to prohibit guns on campus — restrictions similar to those the University of Utah tried unsuccessfully to get lawmakers to codify here. For another, a host of gun-carrying students (something the other side might advocate) likely wouldn't have helped the situation much at all.

When someone is determined to commit mass murder, and when that person has the elements of surprise and careful planning on his side, it would be difficult to conceive of a law that could make much difference.

But that doesn't mean lessons can't be learned from this and other similar tragedies. It doesn't mean laws eventually shouldn't be passed, once those lessons are learned.

Gun control measures should exist to help law enforcement keep the peace. That means some weapons should be impossible to obtain legally. It also means waiting periods should be in place to cool passions and deter crimes of opportunity. It means measures should be taken to make it easier to trace weapons, and that people with concealed-weapons permits should be certified as responsible and adequately trained. Creating areas where weapons are banned can make it easier to identify potential trouble-makers and clearly state society's intentions as to what is or isn't an appropriate place to bring a gun.

But these issues should be debated carefully and without the influence of emotions that follow tragic events.

Now is a time to mourn and to comfort. The time for resuming old political debates should wait.