Guns are common denominator here

Two mass shootings occurred within a week of each other. The attacks had some similarities and some differences.

Innocent people were killed at the hands of ideological extremists in both incidents; the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Clinic was terrorized by an anti-abortion white Christian extremist, and the county employees in San Bernardino were terrorized by radicalized Muslims.

In both instances, guns were used as the murder weapons. Guns were the weapon of choice, because they are legal, easily obtained, and very poorly regulated in America.

There were marked differences in the reaction of our politicians to the two mass shootings. The day after Thanksgiving, there was absolute silence from the Republican Congress about the shooting at the Planned Parenthood Clinic. Then, within hours of the San Bernardino slaughter on Dec. 2, every Republican Senator and Representative with a Twitter account tweeted their thoughts and prayers. Democrats in the House and Senate expressed condolences in both incidents, pointed out that the Planned Parenthood shooting was an act of domestic terrorism, and additionally called for common sense gun laws that might prevent future mass shootings.

Think about this common denominator, guns, and what might have been. Universal background checks might have prevented the Colorado Springs shooter from acquiring his gun, since he had a violent criminal record. A ban on assault weapons and ammunition might have prevented the blood bath in San Bernardino. Congress has to stop its diversionary tactics focusing on the "who, where, and why" of mass shootings and focus on the common denominator. Gun legislation may not end all terrorist incidents utilizing guns, but Congress needs to try. There is no excuse for inaction.

Diane Niesman

Wheaton