Rant #3,535: Why?

"We live in dangerous times."

That is what was said at a press conference about what apparently was another assassination attempt directed at former President Donald Trump, this time while he was playing golf near his compound in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Happily, the bullets shot out never reached their intended target, and Trump is fine.

An assault-style rifle was used to shoot at Trump, who was on the fifth hole, and reports are it was from about 400 to 500 yards away.

Police have the weapon and they have the suspect in custody.

I really don't know what to say about this nonsense, but it seems we have turned into something of a third world country, where they often settle political differences with violence.

Honestly, I don't know how to put full protection on Trump when he is golfing.

I am sure that he has Secret Service people around him at the golf course, but the wide-open nature of these courses seem to make them impossible to fully have a blanket of protection around its acreage.

But beyond that, how did this perpetrator get on the course, in particular with such artillery?

I just don't get it.

The prior shooter in Pennsylvania and this latest imbecile are--or was--mentally ill, we can talk about the availability of guns until we are blue in the face ... but why are guns becoming the judge, jury and executioner all in one for these deranged individuals?

It certainly goes back to their own mental illness, but something absolutely must be done to ensure that innocent people--whether on a golf course or a political rally, or in a school--are protected, period.

Again, some say it is a mental health issue, others say it is a gun availability issue, and still others say it is a mix of all of the above.

What is most irritating to me is that most of the guns used in these incidents have been legally purchased.

That means that stricter laws must be put into place right at the get-go so that guns do not get into the wrong hands.

I believe that there absolutely must be an extended waiting period for purchasing a firearm, perhaps even as long as two years or so, even for experienced, licensed firearm.users.

This way, perhaps, provides a cooling off period, giving even the mentally ill time to think about what they are doing.

Honestly, we can hem and haw about the availability of firearms--I certainly have done this--but this has become almost a problem of epidemic proportions.

And I will say this again: I do not know why any regular citizen like myself needs to own a gun, especially a military type assault rifle.

I just don't get it, I really don't, and st this point, I won't ever understand what our fascination with guns is all about.

Maybe somebody can explain this to me.