The only meaningful and positive reaction to a horrific event such as this, I agree.
I'm sure the various reactions voiced in this thread are common around the country and the world,
reflecting the shock, grief, anger and puzzlement that always follows a massacre of the innocent.
I think it is inevitable that both sides of the gun debate will have their say but it won't bring back those killed
or heal the wounds of those that have survived. The fact is that the founding fathers made that great nation's bed
and, for better or for worse, the American public have to sleep in it.
Countries such as my own, that have strict gun control laws, are not immune from similar mass homicides -
Hungerford (1987) and Dunblane (1996) are examples, the latter involving the killing of 16 schoolchildren and 1 adult.
Not granting licences/ permits to people who have suffered mental health problems in the past may/may not be
a preventative measure as the human mind is a strange thing and a previously untroubled individual can suffer an
abrupt breakdown or illness triggered by various factors.
All I would say is that a great evil has occurred and all the fantasising about what one would do to the perpetrator just
feeds evil further. It's hard, I know, but why not focus on the plight of the victims and their families, pray for them, support them
and radiate your love and compassion. They need all the help and prayers that can be given to get through this experience.