More Gun Violence -- 3 Marines Dead at Quantico

This morning, thoughts and prayers are with three Marines who are dead at Quantico, VA. This includes the gunman, who took his own life. None of us have all the answers. Most of us believe strongly in the right to protect ourselves against criminals or the government. But most of us know of someone who we wouldn't want anywhere near a gun or carrying a concealed weapon on their person. The problem is that most of the corporate media is focusing on the symptoms of gun violence and not the causes. Mental illness is one of the causes of gun violence, as is excessive exposure to lead. We submit that there is another cause as well -- allowing teens under 18 access to alcohol. In Sterling, VA, a teen was shot and killed by the homeowner after he had gotten drunk and then entered the wrong house. Around here, it is telling that the teens themselves think that it is a problem. We could repeal the Second Amendment, take everyone's guns away, and we still would not have a handle on the plague of violence sweeping our country.