Tragedy has struck the nation once again.

On Wednesday morning, shooters opened fire inside the San Bernardino Inland Regional Center in California, which supports those with developmental disabilities.

Fourteen people were killed and 21 wounded; two of the suspects, a husband and wife, him an American citizen and her in America on a K-1 visa, were killed in a shootout with authorities.

Police have yet to give an absolute motive in the case, although there has been discussion of terrorism and/or a workplace dispute. Authorities do agree that the attack seemed to involve some amount of preparation.

San Bernardino is more than 2,600 miles away from Beaufort County, but that doesn’t mean county residents should dismiss what happened.

First, it is important to not allow this situation to cause an onslaught of bickering. It’s a given that everyone has a different opinion about gun control, and the fight has already started in Washington, D.C. once more. But, in reality, bickering doesn’t solve a thing. It should be replaced by actions.

Instead of arguing, constituents should demand that their representatives, whether in the U.S. Congress or the N.C. General Assembly, rise above the bickering and act according to what the people want.

Constituents have a large part of the responsibility in this matter. Contact a representative or a senator and let him or her know where one stands. No matter which side of the argument, elected officials are in office to listen.

It’s important that this shooting doesn’t fall away from the minds of Beaufort County’s residents. If one feels as though gun control is not the proper way to respond, call the representatives and tell them so. Or if one feels gun control is exactly what is needed, call and tell that, too.

There is a big difference between useless bickering and healthy discussion to accomplish an outcome.

And the victims of the San Bernardino tragedy deserve more respect than bickering allows.