Back to school

Following the shootings in Virginia, the BBC can't quite conceal its relish of the opportunity to lecture America about gun control – as if anything's going to change. I can't help thinking about the fact that I spent half an hour yesterday in the car park of a university hall of residence watching parents and children unload PCs, suitcases, duvets and enormous cuddly toys at the beginning of term. It must have been much the same in Virginia.