This week, Barack Obama was in Colorado, meeting the victims of the latest mass murder. This one took place in a packed cinema showing the latest Batman movie. Twelve people died and 58 were hurt. Had the shooter’s semi-automatic weapon not jammed, the number would have been much higher.

Mr Obama met with the victims’ families, but is doing nothing about the easy availability of guns in America. His Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, is not doing anything, either. Mr Romney fears the well-funded National Rifle Association and the right wing of his party. Mr Obama worries about the loss of conservative Democrats in battleground states.

Politicians hide behind the Second Amendment to the constitution, which states that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." But, fully-automatic weapons have been broadly banned since 1934. Weapons are not allowed on aircraft or in most government buildings.

No licensing system can screen out all unsuitable people. That is why restrictions are also needed on the types of weapons available, and why the most deadly firearms should be banned. Mr Obama and Mr Romney should have had the courage to point that out.