EDITORIAL

often argue that better mental-health care is the answer.

While that unquestionably could prevent violence and would be a good thing in general, mental illness alone doesn’t explain gun violence in the U.S. Mental illness exists around the world, yet Americans die by gun at a staggeringly disproportionate rate: For every 1 million Americans, 30 are killed by firearms each year. In Switzerland, the next-highest country, the yearly toll is closer to eight.

Whether you compare the U.S. to other countries or look at differences among U.S. states, higher gun ownership means more people shot to death. That is simple.

It’s hard to imagine the number of guns in the U.S. being significantly reduced in any short time frame; too many politicians serve the gun lobby for Americans to see a massive gun-buyback program such as those credited with reducing gun deaths in Australia. But this is not a reason for those who support gun control to give up.

After the Dayton shooting, Gov. Dewine clearly was moved by the seemingly spontaneous outbreak of Ohioans yelling at him to “Do something!” about gun violence — enough to offer a sensible slate of reforms the next day. Yes, those reforms will face stiff resistance from oblivious Republicans in the General Assembly and might well die this time around.

But Americans increasingly have had enough of the argument that nothing can be done about guns. In Ohio, gun-rights fundamentalists long have controlled the legislature through their power at the ballot box. It’s time for the reasonable majority to start exercising the same power.

And every American, however he or she feels about the Second Amendment or anything else, can help make our culture less toxic and our society more healthy. We can commit to listening and reading more, from more diverse sources, before we make up our minds. We can recognize people on the other side as potential neighbors rather than enemies.

We can resist anger and scorn and draw instead on good faith, humility and patience.

That’s not easy in trying times, and might seem impossible. But working toward cultural changes might be the only path back to the decent and civil society we want.