Another day, another gun massacre – will the US ever learn?

Today we woke to the news that there had been another gun massacre in the US, this time in Oregon. The question now is will they ever learn and how many more people have to die before they have the guts to do something about gun control?

Sadly, it seems it is taking the US a while to get that message.

While the Australian government led by Prime Minister John Howard clamped down on gun ownership after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, the US has failed to take any form of worthwhile action.

President Barack Obama is known to be in favour of gun control himself, but getting any legislation passed has proven impossible because politicians are too worried about the backlash from voters in a country where owning a gun is perceived as a basic right, not to mention the might of the powerful gun lobby, who make billions a year selling guns.

Earlier today a visibly upset Obama made his 15th speech following a shooting, calling on voters to put pressure on politicians to act.

“We are the only advanced country on earth that sees these kinds of mass shootings every few months,” he said.

The Guardian said he praised Australia and the UK for having come up with ways to prevent mass shootings, and reiterated his concern that the country he leads was the only advanced nation that did not have “sufficient, commonsense” gun laws. The shooter in the latest Oregon Massacre reportedly had four guns in his possession.

“Our thoughts and prayers are not enough,” he said. “It’s not enough”.

He called for voters to make gun control an issue at the ballot box in future elections.

“To change these laws and save lives requires a change in politics on this issue,” Obama said.

“It will require that the American people individually – whether you are a Democrat, or a Republican or an independent – when you decide to vote for somebody are making a determination as to whether this cause of continuing death for innocent people should be a relevant factor in your decision.

“If you think this is a problem, then you should expect your elected officials to reflect your views”.

So, the US president has yet again put the writing on the wall when it comes to gun control. But will those who live in the “Land of the brave” listen to it and vote for what they know must be done, or continue burying their heads in the sand?

What do you think? Will Barack Obama’s latest plea be successful, or will the US continue to bury its head in the sand when it comes to tackling gun control?