The citizens of USA are confused about their freedoms. In their eagerness to pursue their freedom "to" they have lost their freedom "from". They have their enshrined freedom TO bear arms while they have lost their freedom FROM fear, violence and having their lives cut short.

Don’t you love it!

Talk about lost in space, Americans just don’t get it.
Complaint about mass shootings in the US by US citizens, is the ultimate in hypocrisy.

The blame game:

What does a Yanky see every morning on the rising of the sun? Obviously not the same picture of perfection and self righteousness that the losers from American interventionist policies, which have scorched the lives of millions of other citizens globally, from Vietnam to Ukraine.

It’s difficult to have sympathy!

Dan

The "outrage" and "excruciating pain" of people not involved or personally touched by America’s regular shootings will make no difference to the victims and their families. And, pointing at Republicans, going political, will make no difference either. The shooters, the sick freaks, are to blame, and they usually end up dead. Yes. This one is particularly nasty - primary school children - but virtue signalling will not make it better. Mass murder by firearm is an American speciality, which successive governments, of either brand, have been unable to do anything to stop. There is nothing to indicate that it will or can be stopped.

Why waste time talking about the definition of mass shooting? Run out of "outrage"?

All we Australians can do is mind our own business and be thankful that we live where we do. We have had one mass shooting by a lunatic who will die in jail. The knee jerk reaction from the Howard government looked good and probably pleased the ignorant; but it is the difference in the psyche of our population from that of Americans that keeps us safe.

Guns are only as safe as those who own them. For years advocates have argued for a proscribed register. Which would include those with a criminal conviction, a history of domestic abuse/mental health issues. Guns are just tools and have no history of independent homicidal tendecies.

Second of all, the latest tragic outcome was enabled by an open door that ought to have been closed and bolted. And third, by a police force that stood idly by as kids were gunned down by a madman!

Take guns away from the law abiding and only outlaws will have guns! And given the realities of the black market, weapons not ever available legally at present. Like a a 120 cal. sniper rifle that has a range of 4.5 miles! And paid for with crime waves unimaginal at present!

We engage in all manner of divisive behavior to advantage this or that political party! And the exploitation of the poor and downtrodden just to contain wages.

Wage/cost spirals that are caused by energy barons and their demands for ever increasing profit curves and by profit demanding, paper shuffling middlemen who do nothing real in return for their parasitical activities! Save make the lives of the poor and downtrodden even worse!

If we the so called civil society do not have a moral compass, a inherent sense of decency/fair play. Then we can expect more outrage backed by guns. If there were no guns, then it would be with homemade armor piecing crossbows, with a longer more lethal range than a 22-250, or weaponized cars, suicide bombers etc., that come with an even higher death toll!

It is not guns per se that are the problem! It's the way our dog eat dog/rat eat rat (me, me, first, second and last. I'm all right jack) big city, greed is good, society functions! And the virtual enslavement of the least well off! Wages, pensions etc., that never match inflation.

Energy prices that just keep rising and rising, housing that becomes more and more unaffordable!
Alan B.

Yes, guns are bad. We need less of them in the world.

That's why I think the Biden administration's decision to pump US$40 billion worth of weapons into Ukraine is regrettable.

Over many thousands of years, man developed a multitude of tools and devices as he became 'civilised'.
Some of the items he created are capable of causing extreme harm if used inappropriately.
So they should be restricted to those who have a legitimate need for them?
And suitable training given to users, to minimise accidental harm?
To have a dangerous device, such as a firearm, available to all and sundry, just doesn't make sense.
Far too easy for it to discharge inadvertantly, or be discharged by an irresponsible person.
The impact of the grief and loss this might cause far outweighs any random advantage?

There was a time in history when unruly and ragged behaviour by some posed a serious threat to others.
Law enforcement was sparse, and people needed a means of self defence and protection.
Things have changed now, and the current social system allows people to live a peaceful and well regulated life.
The general population doesn't need to be 'armed and dangerous' any more.
So why do some condone the profileration of firearms?
Some of those firearms are highly lethal, and designed for a theatre of war.
Do people really want a dramatic increase in this weaponery, right on their doorstep?
Have they thought this through?

Having said all that, there does seem to be another factor in the mix.
Most persons who own or use guns are responsible and aware?
So, why are a few exactly the opposite?
Of what is that a sign?
Could it simply be the lack of truth we can note in the world around us.
Or the mental incompetence of those few?
Would the education system be able to identify them?
Could they then be restricted in some way?