However access to firearms isn't even in the slightest rational a cause. Arguably, had more citizens of Kosovo had their own personal weapons it would be far more difficult for others with all the moral values of Hitler to pursue their deadly aims. To paraphrase one of our country's founding fathers "a government that fears its citizens from owning firearms is a government to fear". Speaking of Nazi Germany, one reason Hitler's power was so absolute was in part solidified by many laws that effectively removed the ability of the general populace to resist. In absolute fact, America's 1968 weapons control act is almost a verbatum copy of one of Nazi Germany's laws passed in the early 1930's.

In short access to firearms doesn't enable the senseless behaviour we yet again must endure. The tragic events of yesterday seem to only drive this home further given that with the vast information resources now available, any nitwit can make powerful bombs.

What we must discover are the social environment factors that drive children (and adults) to even consider, much less commit, such horrific acts. Controlling the "tool" used won't cure the illness, it will only cause a different tool to be used. Maybe educating people with respect to the proper and safe handling of such items is a partial answer.