I am amazed and glad that this discussion has gone as long as it has with only the surface of "ban the guns" being scratched. Many ask as to when these mass shootings will end, while others point to the need to understand the WHY they are happening. Some posters have pointed to context as being important-it is!
Consider the discussion of violent video games and the influence they have on children. There are many adults who have played various role playing games, watched movies with violence, etc. and are peaceful law abiding citizens. Who here (and I assume there are many) remembers going to the playground to play in a pickup ball game? Who here had parents that told you to go out and play versus sitting in the house? How many people participated in activities and did NOT get "participation" trophies just for showing up? Many of us grew up and developed social interaction skills as well as learning that we don't always win, but we tried. How many of the youths of today plug in to the internet versus going to the playground? How many get trophies because they participated versus those who don't get participation trophies? What happens to school children who never learn that they WILL fail at something in their life, or who never hear the word NO? Once these kids get out of a sheltered life and go out into the world, how do they handle the competition and failures that they will face?
Consider too that the rate of suicide is increasing annually. You can check out the statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
here. Why is the rate increasing annually? What is different from when we grew up? Is it because we don't unplug from work anymore?
I certainly don't have the answers, but unless/until we understand the WHY, we will be unable to reduce/eliminate these tragic events. Instead of blaming the "how", put the blame exactly where it belongs, on the perpetrator of the crime and then try to find out the WHY it was done. Was it a mental health issue? A disgruntled employee? Is there just a basic lack of respect for life? Why is killing so cavalier to some people?