Trigger-happy terror

The deadliest mass shooting in US history and the worst terror attack since 9/11 — in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida — serves as another reminder of how modern society is never safe from attacks, particularly of the lone-wolf variety. Initial reports indicate the shooter Omar Mateen, a young man of Afghan descent born in America, may have been inspired, but not directed, by Islamic State. It should hardly matter whether ISIS was involved or whether the attack stemmed from homophobia, as being made out by the attacker’s family.

Considering recent political events in the US, this tragedy is bound to be used by some with an agenda like that of the presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has stated his abhorrence of people of a particular religion in no uncertain terms. The establishment, and others in the running for President, have been far more sober. The point is that the tragedy also springs from another big American problem: the ease with which guns can be bought. The attacker was known to the FBI, had been interrogated at least thrice, and yet was free to buy weapons with which he opened relentless fire on helpless people enjoying a Saturday evening at a pub. To blame this attack only on Islamic terrorism would be incorrect because last year there were 330 mass shootings in the US, only a few of which could be pinned to religious zealotry. This was another hate crime made easy because any malcontent can buy a gun and use it in a public place. Violent hate is something the world has to learn to live with if it cannot fight it more vigorously.