Are there fact-based studies that support the conclusion that "glamorizing violence...contributes to these shooters taking up firearms and..."? I haven't searched for it yet, but I believe I've seen studies in the past that have concluded that youngsters watching violent movies and playing violent video games does NOT correlate to violence later in life. Yet, because this is a seemingly logical conclusion (glamorizing violence leads to gun violence) few people challenge the assumption that masquerades as fact.

Is it possible that capturing national attention (i.e., the 15 proverbial minutes of fame) is the motivational force for an individual who otherwise feels powerless and who has little to no impact on society?...and that these killers KNOW that a mass shooting is guaranteed to produce that fame than is mowing down pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk in their car?

Just asking....

No one knows right now why the young man decided to shoot up the movie theatre. Of course, he had to be somewhat crazy to do that.

However, he had bought all the guns and ammunition legally according to the police chief. He did not have any criminal or mental issue to deter him from buying the guns or ammo.

The problem is the easy access to buying guns. There also is no reason for a civilian to own an assault rifle like a M-16 that can be converted to full auto very easily. The NRA would probably be in favor of any citizen being able to own .50 caliber machine guns with the arguement that citizens should be armed just like the military in case of the "rogue" government comes marching down Buena Vista Blvd.

Shimpy is historically correct. This fact was admitted to by the Japanese military when the war was over.

The Wrong Problem?
 

We may be looking at Colorado and ignoring the greater problem - gang violence. To put it in perspective, in the city of Chicago on Memorial Day weekend this year eleven people died of gunshot wounds and at least 50 additional were wounded. The precise number of wounded is not known since some, most assuredly, took care of their wounds themselves rather than be involved with authorities. None of the firearms involved were licensed, registered or in any way legal. The Aurora theater massacre killed 13 and wounded approximately 50 others.

The Aurora theater killings were a one-time event. The killings in Chicago and other cities around this nation continue unchecked and unpublicized. There will be at least as many killed by gang violence this weekend as died in Aurora. The difference is that the gang violence will go on 365 days this year and for as long as we can see in the future. One could ask why care about gang violence - they only kill hoods? But, unfortunately, they do much more damage. They kill innocent bystanders, they make violence and drug money enticing to kids and the violence hollows out our cities.

I do not pretend to have the answer, but I do know that restricting law-abiding citizens the right to their arms is not the solution. Talk about semi-automatic or fully automatic simply puts off the question of where does violence occur, whether or not the arms are registered/licensed. etc. There are hundred or perhaps a few hundred killed by legal arms each year. There are thousands killed by illegal arms in the hands of gangs each year both in this country and in Mexico. It is time to stop focusing on the deaths of the people in Colorado and Treyvon Martin; and start focusing on the problem that is killing our cities – gang violence.

If only ONE person had been armed with a concealed weapon maybe it could have saved all these lives. Just sad to think you would even have to go to a movie theater with a gun for self protection. How tragic and what has this country become? We've got MORE and more kids who think they are the characters in the movies they watch. Perhaps too much time in front of tv, computers, ipads, playing and watching violence has contributed to our societys trend toward violence. Parents, turn the dam TV's off, take the computers away, the ipads, etc.. and give your kids some books to read!! Very very sad for the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers go out to each and everyone of them.

Suburban vs. gang violence.
 

High School Massacres: An American Phenomenon - TIME

This article is from 1999 but covers some of the explanations of why these loners feel the need to take their rage out on society. Still wonder what set James Holmes off to start planning such a horrible chain of events.

Gang violence is something very different. What you need their are more community organizers like Barack Obama when he was in Chicago.

I can't find any real answer to that. Lots of speculation online about it. I'm from Missouri. Show me.

I'm inclined to agree with you this time.

Only if the person in a movie theater with a congealed weapon is (1) a very good shot; (2) can shoot another person; and (3) can remain very calm enough to get off a good shot. Except for those with military and/or police training, I doubt if many people could do this.

Perhaps if the perp had seen his victims shooting back, he may have beat feet out the way he came in.

Out of that entire movie theater, don't you think there would have been ONE off-duty police officer? Most cities, I believe, have their off-duty officers carry a concealed pistol.

It's not for any of us armchair CCW carriers to decide which little lady, child or senior citizen would be "a good enough shot" when cornered in a massacre like THIS:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0Byq5Qis]Suzanna Gratia Hupp explains meaning of 2nd Amendment! - YouTube[/ame]

Well, I hope that more cops who are off duty bring their guns along when they go to movies, church, the mall, etc. Just make sure that the theater or whatever management know who is who that has the firearm.

You can not convert an M16 to full auto very easy. Best read up on what it takes before making that statement.

Another thing, assault rifle is a term used, that has no meaning. The civilian version of the M16, semi auto is not an assault rifle. Look the term assault rifle up, then come on back and tell me what it is.

Educate yourself on the correct terms and stop listening to the media who would not know a sling shot from a cannon.