Disclaimer: I am a gun enthusiast myself. I own several. I also have a state-issued carry permit that allows me to carry them concealed on my person in public places.

Whatever the reasons for American gun violence, or why so many of our people have this obsession with firearms, the fact remains we have these horrific gun crimes because there are just too damned many of them loose in the society. It is simply too easy to get access to firearms, either legally or illegally. There is no "common sense gun law" or psychological screening conceivable that will stop the carnage. You're going to have to change the culture, and I wouldn't hold my breath about accomplishing that any time soon. WHY our culture is like that is another question altogether, perhaps the subject for another post entirely. If you want to know my opinions on that let me know.

Even though we may be able to reduce the shootings and deaths and maimings somewhat with legislation or law enforcement, the killing will not stop until guns are totally outlawed. Even then, it will take years, perhaps generations, before all firearms are finally removed from society, and even then some will remain hidden or sneak in as contraband. They will be smuggled into the country inside bales of marijuana. Even if we found some way of identifying the crazies and ratcheting down the political paranoia, people will want guns precisely because they are so widespread, or at least, because their ubiquity is so perceived. And as long as guns are common, some will eventually fall into the hands of lunatics, criminals, or the politically delusional. No one wants Iran or North Korea to have nuclear weapons, either, but you will note none of the countries demanding they disarm are willing to give up theirs. I would gladly surrender MY firearms for the common good, but I really don't want to be the first to do so. Does this mean I, and people like me are part of the problem? Yes, absolutely.

As Eowyn of Rohan once remarked, "[we] learned long ago that refusing to live by the sword does not mean we won't die on one."