It’s race. Except when it’s not. It’s poverty. Except when it’s not. It’s a hate crime. Except when it’s not. It’s always guns… Here’s part of the statement from President Obama (who knew one of the victims): “I’ve had to make statements like this too many times. Communities like this have had to endure tragedies like this too many times. Once again, communities [were harmed] because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no problem getting their hands on a gun … Let’s be clear: At some point, we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries.” (Maybe we need to update the definition of an advanced country.)

+ 11 facts about gun violence in the United States.

+ A sticker advertising a gun sale on this morning’s edition of The Post and Courier.