Here’s what happens when terror strikes: we overreact to it, then eventually we realize we’ve overreacted, and we pledge that the next time terror strikes we won’t overreact. And then we overreact again.

Democrats attempted to push a bill through Congress last week that would have kept not only anyone on the terror watchlist from getting a gun, but anyone who has ever been investigated by the FBI for terrorism from getting a gun, unless the attorney general says it’s okay. Which is the same as saying, “Anyone who has ever been investigated by the FBI can’t buy a gun.” Because what attorney general is going to put his career on the line for someone who might turn out to be the next Mateen, or the next Tsarnaev?

…So, before we continue down this path, let’s recap all the rights and liberties we’ve now waived in the name of fighting terrorism, whenever the government feels like it, and there’s nothing you can do about it: the ability to travel freely, courtesy of the giant, bloated terror watch list; the right not to be monitored or surveilled by your government without probable cause; illegal detentions; cruel and unusual punishment; and, if we elect Donald Trump, freedom of religion.

If the FBI ever investigated you for terrorism, your rights and liberties could be at the whim of a frightened public. How have we not yet learned that sometimes the best response to terrorism is to not respond to terrorism?