Sunday, November 5, 2017, saw yet another entry into America's growing list of gun-related atrocities. This one follows close on the heels of the Las Vegas shootings where 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on the audience of a country music concert, killing over 50 and wounding up to 500 innocent people.

Sunday's attack took place at The First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas. The shooter, a white male aged 27, opened fire inside the church killing 26 of the congregation and wounding many more.

President trump, who is currently in the early stages of his tour of Asia, was quick to offer his support to victims and to thank the first responders who treated victims at the scene.

US gun laws

Once again, the issue of America's gun laws has reared its head. The National Rifle Association ( NRA) is a staunch and vocal supporter of the POTUS and has donated huge sums to Trump's campaign funds in his lead-up to the election. The second amendment, the right to bear arms, is trotted out every time there is another gun related crime of this magnitude, and in one extreme suggestion, the Attorney General of Texas proposed that one way of solving the problem of mass shootings like this would be for everyone to bring their guns to church.

Trump's response

The POTUS refused once again to address the issue of gun crime saying that this is not an issue of gun crime but of 'mental health'.

Time after time the seriousness of the gun problem in America is brushed under the carpet. Trump dodged reporter's questions after the Stephen Paddock shooting by saying that now was not the time to look into US gun law.

If now is not the time, then when will be the time? This attack was not perpetrated by a Muslim who had a grudge against the US, this was perpetrated by a young, white, US, male who took Bible classes at his local church and served in the US Air Force. Nothing in his past suggested that he would ever be capable of an act such as this.

But if this is indeed a mental health issue. So, what can be done to prevent it happening again? For one, Trump is attempting to dismantle Obamacare which offered affordable healthcare to thousands of Americans who would otherwise not have access to health insurance.

This included addressing issues of mental health.

It would appear that Trump, once again, as he did after the Las Vegas shootings, will be burying his head in the sand over US gun laws and placing the blame on mental health rather than addressing the real problem.