We all know by now the tragic murder/suicide by the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, who first shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself.

And many of us know by now the commentary Bob Costas did last night on Sunday Night Football (you can see it here).

And some of us know by now the blowback from conservative pundits and talk show hosts across the country, ripping Costas for exploiting the tragedy to make a point about gun control.

The critics have a point, up to a point:  Yes, Belcher could’ve killed his girlfriend in a variety of ways.

And yes, he legally purchased the gun.

But so what?

Why do gun advocates always fall back on the “he could’ve used a knife . . . or a car . . . or a hammer . . . or strangled her” rationalization?

Because, all too often in America, “he” didn’t choose anything else.  ”He” chose a gun.

And as long as gun advocates remain the absolutists too many of them are, nothing will happen on the gun control front.

Which, sadly, is just what they want.  Nothing to happen.

And the American Carnage will continue.