In light of the San Bernardino, California, shootings — now being considered an act of terrorism by the FBI — The New York Times published a front-page editorial about gun violence Dec. 4.

The subject matter is drawing attention for its call to restrict guns in America, but it’s also drawing attention because it’s the first editorial published on the newspaper’s front page since June 13, 1920.

When the Times last published a front-page editorial nearly 100 years ago, it was a criticism of the Republican Party nominating President Warren G. Harding for president. 

We believe it is surprising no other world event since then has warranted a front-page editorial from the Times, but this is a byproduct of the world around us.

It’s an example of how desensitized people are becoming to the news of mass shootings. We live in a time where mass shootings, although still horrific, are becoming a normal thing to hear about in the news.

However, the issue is one that deserves the treatment it received in the Times. As the Stater editorial board has said before, something has to change in this country. 

We commend the Times for keeping the issue of gun violence real to us all and not letting the issue simply die down. Even if it took the paper 95 years to decide an issue such as this to warrant such a bold statement on its front page.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board.