The KC parade shooters are further proof that we need to talk about black cultural dysfunction

For five of the longest minutes of my life, I tried desperately to call my sister, who was at the KC Chiefs parade two weeks ago. Each time I called, I could hear someone pick up the line, shouting in the background, and then the phone hung up. Not good. Eventually, she texted me to say that she and my nephew were safe—they had left only minutes before the shooting broke out and killed a radio DJ and injured 22 others, 10 of them children.

The horror of that day is beyond words. The senseless loss of life and the trauma inflicted upon innocent people is a stark reminder of the evil that exists in the world. However, as a staunch opponent of gun control, I see this tragic event not as a call for more restrictions on firearms, but as a painful illustration of why our right to bear arms is more important than ever. Let’s not forget that there were 800 police officers who were there, and yet none of this was prevented by their presence. It was average citizens who acted fast to subdue the attackers, and show the world what it really means to be an American.

The actions of the two deranged individuals who committed these horrible crimes do not reflect the values or behaviors of responsible gun owners. The shooters at the KC Chiefs parade were not deterred by the laws already in place. Dominic Miller, 18, and Lyndell Mays, 23, both black, face charges of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.