A man walks into a crowded theater and starts shooting, killing 12 and wounding scores.

We can learn two important about our society from this horrifying event

First, the fact that no one returned fire suggests that, while many or most of the theater-goers could have chosen to arm themselves before going to the theater, they chose not to. They rejected the notion that they ought to prepare to kill other human beings before leaving their homes.

That is, they are like the vast majority of Americans.

Second, their assailant was enabled by a small group of people who take the opposite view, that people should be prepared to use deadly force against their fellow citizens. They believe that it s a constitutional right of persons to arm themselves to the teeth with weapons designed for attacking groups of well-armed and prepared enemies. (That is what assault weapons are.)

James Holmes was not a member of  “a well-regulated militia,” yet he was legally armed like a soldier going to war.

This does not make sense to me, nor to most Americans. Yet it was so, and a terrible thing resulted. And why? Because the National Rifle Association has captured our government.

We need to have a discussion about how a well-funded minority can warp the national will, but for now, it behooves Americans to put their local, state and national legislators on notice that the NRA has led us to an unacceptable state of affairs.

Until we do, more families will soon be burying loved ones slaughtered  like those in Aurora Colorado.