Another shooting has us asking the wrong question

Re: “Colorado Springs shooting: ‘At a loss for words,’ ” May 10 news story

Here in Colorado Springs, the same questions that occur after every mass shooting are being asked again. The statement that never fails to come up on news stations is that the investigation into the motives of the shooter is ongoing. It’s a stupid question that avoids the actual questions that should be asked.

It’s a dumb question because the answer is always the same. Someone with easy access to a gun was aggrieved. It doesn’t matter if the person was fired from a job, jilted by a lover, or rebuffed by members of the opposite sex. The fact that they felt slighted and could get their hands on a gun, in an instant of ire, is the reason many people are now dead and several families are now grieving.

So when the completely unhindered bloodshed comes to your town, or your family, don’t let the same dumb questions regarding motivation take center stage. The question that should be asked isn’t “Why?” or even “How can we be the only developed country that allows this to continually happen?”

The questions that must be asked and investigated are: “Who is profiting? Which Senators, what arms manufacturers, and what powerful lobbies are benefitting?” Because they have no interest in slowing the carnage.

Max Clow, Colorado Springs