Signs and flowers adorn the makeshift memorial for victims of the shooting that left a total of 22 people dead at the Cielo Vista Mall Walmart, in El Paso, Texas, on August 7, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK AFP/Getty Images In the days following a mass shooting, the “thoughts and prayers” and refrains of “don’t politicize a tragedy” tend to halt any possible common sense actionable solutions — like banning the assault rifle.