Movement is encouraging

“We call BS.” It was just one of many highlights of Emma Gonzales’ powerhouse speech, but it may be the one that best defines a growing national backlash against the gun-rights absolutism that has held sway over American politics for decades.

From the angry survivors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to people who are posting and sharing the names of politicians who have accepted donations from the National Rifle Association, support seems to be building for additional controls on the sale of guns. Along with it is a call for more-effective responses when people display the clear signs of mental disturbance and violence that so many saw in Nikolas Cruz, the alleged Florida shooter.

Like so many other socialchange movements, it may be led by the young . ...

Americans of Gonzales’ age and younger have grown up with a worry not faced by earlier generations: “activeshooter” drills in school. They are angry that mass shootings continue with no change in the nation’s permissive gun laws or in the way society deals with those who appear to be mentally ill and dangerous.

We hope this movement will be strong and sustained enough to counter the voices of those who don’t think America has a problem with guns.

Read the full editorial from the Columbus Dispatch at bit. ly/2C7We3b