When the corporate media speaks of the "why" behind any particular mass shooting,

[guillaumeb]

that focus on a "why" is a diversion from the actual issue.

Why any particular mass murderer uses firearms to commit one of the many mass murders in the US is secondary. Primary is the fact that literally anyone can obtain weapons of war and use these weapons to massacre others.

The US corporate media prefers to keep the focus on the individual to obscure the fact that easy access to firearms is the reason that gun deaths are so common in the US.

And this focus on the individual is intended to put the blame on these individuals instead of on the manufacturers of these weapons of destruction, and the politicians that are bought by the NRA and the gun manufacturers.

[Newest Reality]

1. Yes,

and we are seeing the symptoms of a systemic failure and cultural crisis that distinguishes America from some other countries that have dealt with the issue successfully. The assault, (war-oriented weapons) rifles and magazines are, to me, the most critical issue right now. Anyone who feels they need to legally own that style of weapon is feeding their own paranoia, not protecting Second Amendment rights, and many sound arguments can be made against those weapons.

Our history and the aggressive violent nature of America overall, plus some very important cultural issues that contribute to the effect are also factors. This is not a simple. cut and dried problem and to change it is going to take a lot of elbow grease, lots of information and the WILL to do it and persist at it from all angles.

It will not be easy for the US to do this, due to the above. However, here are some examples in regards to guns in other countries, but our problem is about more than that:

Japan, which has strict laws for obtaining firearms, seldom has more than 10 shooting deaths a year in a population of 127 million people.

If Japanese people want to own a gun, they must attend an all-day class, pass a written test, and achieve at least 95% accuracy during a shooting-range test.

Then they have to pass a mental-health evaluation at a hospital, as well as a background check, in which the government digs into any criminal records or ties and interviews friends and family members.

Finally, they can buy only shotguns and air rifles — no handguns — and must retake the class and the initial exam every three years.

Unlike in the US, Japanese law has long outlawed guns. Still, the wisdom from Japan seems to be that tighter regulations keep guns confined only to those fit to use them.

I also want to note that I am not necessarily anti-gun, but we have grave issues with the types that are legal and the means for procuring them, that is for sure.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/gun-deaths-eliminated-america-learn-japan-australia-uk-norway-florida-shooting-latest-news-a8216301.html

[guillaumeb]

2. The phrase "feeding their own paranoia" is relevant.

And part of that paranoia is the supposed fear of a tyrannical government. Not a foreign Government, but one composed of US citizens.

[greblach]

3. The wrong question

excellent...

Dear corporate media,
You ask the wrong question... "why" can literally anyone can obtain weapons of war and use these weapons to massacre others...

[guillaumeb]

4. Welcome to DU.

AN excellent response.

And this shifts the blame to the real causes of the gun violence. Manufacturers who value profit above lives, and the politicians they buy who value their jobs above the lives of the people they claim to represent.