Gun deaths are not pretend.

The shooting that happened on the movie set for “Rust” was very tragic, and it has brought up a ton of questions about how props are prepared and used in movie making. The news has covered it significantly because it was a Hollywood star who pulled the trigger. There is now focus on what happened and on how safety measures are enforced or not enforced on sets, and about who will be ultimately responsible for the death of one, and injury of another. It is coming out now, due to this tragedy, there was earlier concern about gun handling on sets, and the lack of secure and safe measures.

My heart goes out for the family of the cinematographer killed, and for Alec Baldwin, and for the prop people on the set.

I can’t help but think how this one unfortunate shooting is getting so much attention yet gun death in America happens every single day. Senseless deaths every single day. “Accidental” firings that take innocent lives. Every single day.

The gun manufacturing industry has knowledge on how to make guns safer. They can put thumb and face recognition technology on them much like we have on our Iphones. Congress can introduce and pass laws that will require gun manufacturers to use the technology. Congress can pass laws to require gun owners to take required classes on gun use and safety. They can make certain types of guns illegal for ordinary citizens, guns not used for home defense or hunting – or at least require additional training and licensing to carry them. None of this is done.

We live in a country that accepts gun tragedies – and we watch the news and hear daily about deaths by gun mis-use, and drive-bys, We accept it as part of our freedom in America. We call it a right. We even are okay with mass shootings because nobody is allowed to take away personal arsenals. There is no limit on the amount of guns a person can own. No limit on the amount they can purchase at a single time.

So, yes, the tragedy on the movie set is appalling, and life changing for the survivors. I hope some inkling of good will come from it. Maybe movie makers and company heads will improve the care of weapons used in the making of pretend stories.

But in America gun deaths are not pretend. I believe none of it is acceptable. Children gunned down. Innocent people sleeping in bed, or going for a jog. It is wrong. It is not a right to be shot and killed because we will not work to make guns safer and hold all gun owners responsible.

This is about real life – and death.