There’s a common factor in the gun debate and the investigation into the horror in Boston. The common factor is the National Rifle Association.

The NRA has done everything in its power to neuter the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. As the ATF and FBI explosives experts investigate the bombs, it would be helpful if they could identify the source of the explosive materials. In 1996, an effort was made to require the use of “taggants” — chemical trace elements specific to manufacturers — in U.S.-made explosives.

The NRA and the explosives industry fought it off, arguing that taggants weren’t particularly useful. Moreover, they said, when used in some kinds of explosives, particularly black powder used by reloading hobbyists, taggants can make the substance unstable. A 1998 study by the National Research Council agreed with those assertions. Technology has advanced in the last 15 years. Some future Congress, not cowed by the NRA, should revisit the subject.

In the end, like any terrorist operation, the marathon bombing is cowardice made manifest. It frightens by its very randomness. A beautiful day, a festive city and life or death is decided by where you stand to watch a race.

It is a fact of life, and a fact of death, in places like Baghdad, Kabul and Tel Aviv, London and Madrid and Moscow. At some level, Americans think they are immune. It is no comfort to be reminded that we aren’t, and in an open society, never will be.

Nor, however, are we immune from random gun violence, a far bigger problem and a threat that could at least be mitigated. Something has gone very wrong, and not just in Boston.

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