Back to the societal changes and their influence on recent events. As noted, guns exist in this country for 200+ years, but mass shootings are relatively new. Why? One potential answer is that guns have become more lethal and more easily available, which is perhaps true. The other potential answer is morality, the decline of nuclear family, for instance, and absence of fathers. The role of violent video games have not be fully confirmed, although there are studies that show increased levels of aggression in those who play. But one factor has been missing so far from the discussion: the rise of social media, which almost coincides with mass shootings. The "15 minutes of fame" effect, that spreads events via social media like a wildfire, is, in my humble opinion, what is driving mass shootings, in particular school shootings. Which then creates copy cats, etc.
Bottom line, it is a complex phenomenon, which would require a multi-prong response. Reducing it simplistically to a single cause (guns) is more dangerous than helpful. That said, I am not against restricting access to assault-style guns with high capacity magazines, closing loopholes, raising age limit, improving mental health access, etc.
