@richieh_10 Going to respond here since this will clearly spiral into a gun control debate about the US.
Access is clearly still a problem. You can argue whether or not the “need” for a semi-automatic rifle etc etc all day until you pass out. That will never fly in the US. We see it with vaccinations. Some of the most idiotic excuses to not get a jab. What it really comes down to, if you take away our right to make a decision all hell breaks loose. That is a cultural US thing that typically doesn’t follow logic. One day you’re a libertarian saying anti government regulation, the next you’re pro TX anti abortion law. Makes zero logical sense. Then again, us Americans aren’t always the most logical. Cool down periods make sense, additionally, make permits expensive might curb some of the behavior though charging it on your AMEX if you don’t plan to be around to pay the bill might not matter much. Something has to be done, but clearly I don’t necessarily no what it is. I would really like to see an emphasis into preventing people from reaching that stage mentally rather than just blaming the weapon. You can make it impossible to get a gun, but someone at that stage will likely find a way anyways.
I think if you are crazy enough to commit this kind of violence you’ll find a way to access the means needed to do so. With that said, we are failing as a country to clearly address the romance with violence along with not taking care of our people’s mental health issues. I really think it is a deep rooted culture issue. I know this nation was born in violence and continues to live violently, but somehow we have to find a way to change.
I know you mentioned how are we still surprised, but I refuse to ever stop being surprised. I refuse to accept this as normal life. The vast majority of humans do not wake up one morning and decide to go shoot up a grocery store. I want us to be better.