In yesterday's New York Times, 2005 court testimony from top firearm manufacturers came to light. And at least one of those gun-makers underestimated America's insane lust for guns:

A discordant note was sounded by one executive — Ugo Gussalli Beretta, a scion of the family of Italian firearms makers. His testimony indicated that he did not understand how easy it was to buy multiple guns in the United States, compared with his home country. Questioned by a lawyer for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, he said he believed — incorrectly — that Beretta U.S.A. had a policy requiring its dealers to first determine if there was “a legitimate need” for someone to buy so many guns.

Asked why he thought that, Mr. Beretta replied, “Common sense.”

Of course it's common sense. But it's not a law in America because gun manufacturers have managed to convince people—not even a majority of people, but the right people—to declare war on common sense in the name of profit.