Thomas Walkom: Blame gun laws, not Palin, for Tucson massacre (in the Toronto Star)

Thomas Walkom of the Toronto Star, with a different view on the Tucson massacre.

"The shooter may have been influenced by pre-election political ads from Tea Party darling Sarah Palin, ads that showed Gifford’s Democratic constituency framed in the crosshairs of a rifle.

"But it’s equally possible that he was not, that this particular shooting was not a political crime inspired by misguided principle but one — like the 1981 attempt against Ronald Reagan — based on a mad desire to gain attention. ...

"Certainly, Giffords would have been a curious target for an assassin fixated on left-liberals — for the simple reason that she isn’t one.

"A so-called Blue Dog — that is, right-wing — Democrat, she is hardly a radical. In Canada, she would probably be a Conservative. ...

"If there’s any meaning to be drawn from Saturday’s sad business, it is this: Don’t fret overly about civility. Nasty politics do not necessarily lead to Nazi politics. But do severely restrict guns. That won’t stop the dedicated assassin. It will curtail the nuts."

Full article: Walkom: Blame gun laws, not Palin, for Tucson massacre.