Trump Shooting Happened Because US Missed Its 'Dunblane Moment' to Act on Guns

What surprised me most about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump was not the fact that it had happened but what seemed like the genuine surprise that it had. Whether by divine intervention or bad shooting, Trump survived, though others weren't so lucky.

The handwringing went on for days. "How could this happen in America" was a common theme along with strident statements that "there's no place for violence in our public life."

These sentiments, genuinely felt I'm sure, must surely come squarely into the category of the wilful suspension of disbelief. How could this have happened? The answer is simple. All the ingredients were there — it was a question of when, not if, they combusted.

For the record, I have a great fondness for America. I've worked there, travelled extensively there, have American in-laws and many friends, but I simply don't understand that wonderful country's toxic relationship with guns.

How could America be surprised at the Trump shooting when mass school shootings are a regular occurrence, primary schools need armed guards, and the most common cause of death among young children is gunfire?

The profile of these shooters is remarkably similar: young men, often just out of school, loners who feel compelled to vent their rage on the world. Every society has such marginalised individuals, but in the US they can get their hands on deadly weapons.

A ban on assault rifles has been suggested again. On the face of it, there is absolutely no reason why such military-grade weapons should be in public hands. They are no use for hunting or target shooting — they are designed solely for killing people. Their removal would not contravene the sacred second amendment. It would only make sense. But I doubt it will happen.