How about a No More Assault Rifles Act of 2012?

“GUN SHOW. Glendale Civic Auditorium. Aug. 11-12.”

That was the bright yellow banner that greeted me Friday morning as I drove to work. I don’t remember it being there the day before.

Coincidence? Who knows. But go ahead, click on this link to the show. Check out the photos.

PHOTOS: Colorado movie theater shooting

Yep. You too can buy a semiautomatic rifle much like the one reportedly used by the shooter in Colorado to kill at least 12 people at a movie theater.

Is this a great country or what?

Know what else I was thinking when I saw that sign? I was thinking about my 18-year-old son who went with friends to a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” at a local theater.

VIDEOS: Witness interviews, TV reporting following massacre

At 4 a.m., when he wasn’t home, the text message went out: Where are you? Everything OK?

And this was before I knew of the Colorado rampage.

He came home shortly thereafter. And yes, he got a little extra hug from his mom this morning as he lay snug and safe in bed.

Too bad the parents of the Colorado victims won’t ever know that sweet pleasure again.

So yes, this is personal. I’m insulted by the gun show banner. And I’m tired of the fact that the National Rifle Assn. and other gun advocates seemingly have a death grip -- sometimes literally -- on the debate about firearms in this country.

We don’t need to disarm Americans. But neither do we need to arm Americans with assault rifles. We can respect the 2nd Amendment -- and respect the right of young people to go to a theater without having to survive a fusillade normally reserved for the battlefield.

So how about it, fellow parents? How about giving some meaning to the lives of those killed in Colorado? How about making America just a little safer for my kids, and your kids?

How about a No More Assault Rifles Act of 2012?

Yes, it’s just a small step. But really, isn’t it the least we can do?

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