A recent spate of public shootings, most notably the Sandy Hook massacre, has left an indelible stain on our national conscience.

Understandably, there has been a maelstrom of voices demanding reform of the current gun control laws. Equally understandable a disconnect exists along party lines, with Democrats calling for stricter controls and Republicans endorsing a more status quo approach.

Indeed, some redressing of gun control laws is necessary but the quandary is what type of legislation can be crafted without pillaging the integrity of the Constitution. The Second Amendment is a fundamental Constitutional principal established by the founding fathers, and one that has been upheld by at least two Supreme Court decisions.

The debate lies rooted in the axiomatic question of whether the nefarious acts of a few mentally deranged individuals be allowed to abrogate the Second Amendment and potentially debase the Constitution, a document that is the cornerstone of American democracy.

Any gun control reform can have far-reaching effects, especially in south Louisiana where hunting season trails only LSU football as the state’s most popular sport. Not only would strict reform impale the recreation hunters, depending on the final legislation it could also have potentially disastrous economic effects.

Hunting rings cash registers throughout south Louisiana, and any federal infringement would likely negatively impact the bottom line.

Fortunately, lying beneath all the politics, there appears to be some room for compromise. Most, with a few exceptions, agree that in a civilized culture automatic weapons have no place. At least that foundation should establish parameters from which to launch the dialogue.

Some would argue, with justifiable concern, that retracting even the slight tenet of the Second Amendment could put the country at the precipice of a slippery slope with potentially catastrophic trampling on our freedom. However, when the Constitution was written, the founding fathers could not have predicted the days of AK47s and other assault rifles.

Those were the days when Winchesters were still years away and duels with one-shot pistols were considered honorable.

Times have changed, and the Constitution must evolve to meet the demands of a modern society. Make no mistake, some type of gun control must eventually be authored and enacted.

But all must also realize that no amount of legislation or waiting period or background checks will ever prevent an individual or group of individuals from obtaining weapons, legal or otherwise, and unleashing horrific carnage.

We live in a civilized society; unfortunately not all who live are civilized. And we all pay the price for those few.