This is another NYDN which distorts facts. Here’s the most ridiculous part.

We have chosen this reality. We have decided as a country that it is easier to periodically bury the innocent than to make tough decisions to address the actual cause of this modern, and uniquely American, scourge.

Before the killer’s gun even stopped smoking, some rushed to blame “radical Islam.”

Social media responds with outpouring of love for the victims and families of victims of the Orlando massacre as well for the LGBTQ+ community.

Some disgusting individuals even celebrated the attack as a vindication of their repugnant, bigoted views. We do not yet know all of the facts surrounding this latest act of terror. But we do know that there is only one common factor linking every mass shooting: a gun.

So believe me when I tell you: There’s simply no reason for a civilian to own a military-style assault weapon. It’s no different than why we outlaw civilian ownership of rockets and landmines.

Thankfully, Congress has the ability and authority to eliminate the civilian sale of these weapons of war. We have before, and we should again.

That’s not all. Congress can prevent future tragedies by requiring a background check for every gun purchase in America. Congress can prevent people on terrorism watch lists from buying guns. And Congress can lift the restrictions on the study of the causes of gun violence, so that we can at the very least better understand why this keeps happening.

1. No ordinary civilian can own the gun he’s holding in the picture which is an M4. It can only be owned with strict limitations.
2. The Orlando Shooter did not use an M4. He purportedly used a Sig Saur MCX, a semi-automatic rifle, not an ‘assault rifle’.
3. People ‘blamed’ radical Islam early on because police said there were indications it was tied to radical Islam.
4. The fact bore that out showing extensive connection to radical Islam, including alleged connections to radicals and pledging allegiance to ISIS.
5. The terrorist not only passed a background check, he had a ‘G’ license in Florida which means he was fingerprinted, had a physical evaluation from a doctor, had 28 hours of training, had to be recertiified every year with more training.
6. He wasn’t on a terrorist watch list or no fly list.

Nothing proposed would have stopped the Orlando terrorist.