"Many Americans have noticed that cities where shootings occur almost daily also have some of the strictest gun laws. Using common sense, they’ve concluded that more gun-control legislation isn’t the solution because criminals, by definition, don’t respect laws.

Many of the same people find it unconscionable that politicians would make it more difficult for law-abiding residents to arm themselves for protection."

Jason Riley is a member of The Wall Street Journal's editorial board and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.