Why can’t we just “enforce the laws that are already on the books?”

Google that phrase and you’ll get more than 1,200 responses, a third of which also include the word “guns.” It’s a standard line of argument in the debate that predictably follows a firearms tragedy like the one that shocked Moscow, Idaho, over the weekend.

If there’s a cry for more laws to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of twisted people like Jason Kenneth Hamilton, the preferred rejoinder will be, “Why can’t we just enforce the laws that are already on the books?” But the question also has legs of its own, especially in light of the things we’ve learned about Hamilton and his killing-suicide spree.

Forget for now any assertion that more gun-control legislation is needed. Let’s move straight to the question: Why can’t we just enforce the laws that are already on the books?

Laws that are already on the books prohibit civilian ownership of fully automatic weapons – machine guns – but Hamilton had a federal license to possess one. A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives couldn’t say why.

Laws are on the books to prevent Hamilton or others convicted of domestic violence from having guns. Terms of his probation also prohibited his owning firearms. But Hamilton had several.

True, he acquired one of them prior to his conviction, but in an age of digital record-keeping at the speed of a mouse click, a serious violation of the law should trigger a prompt retroactive check to take prohibited weapons away from dangerous misfits who have forfeited their gun rights.

And why Latah County issued a concealed weapon permit to a man who had scrapes with the law in at least four states, had demonstrated violent behavior against people and animals and who had made deadly threats – that’s a baffling question.

Even strict enforcement of the laws and the application of common sense might not have prevented Hamilton’s insane rampage, but it might have tempered the carnage.

We hope those who suggest that better enforcement of existing laws is an argument against more gun control will raise their voices now to demand that authorities do their jobs.