I for one do not own a gun, or rifle - no need for either - and odds are I will never! I am not what some call a "hunter", so I find them truly pointless (to defend me is an extremely poor argument!).

The tool is NOT the problem! It is the "tool" brandishing the tool, or the idiot with the gun, that is using it. So, by simply removing the first weapon of choice, one has not done anything but forced the nut-job to use their second preference, such as a knife, or gasoline.

I am sure I do not need to remind others that there are a few countries, like Switzerland, that FORCE their citizens (compulsory gun ownership for military age males) to have a rifle in their home, at all times. Yet, they suffer with little to no problems! (A few instances of "domestic" violence, which will continue to happen, with or without the almighty boomstick!)

Switzerland (SZ) has just less than half the % of guns of the US, yet gun crimes/murders are 1/3 or less.

It is VERY clear that the minset is what sets both apart.
US: I want a lot of guns, 'cause they are cool, plus it is my god (? WTF) given right!
SZ: I do not want it, but I will keep it by my door, because I HAVE to!

Unlike most others, I do not see these last shootings as a "big problem", because I know as population grows so will the so will the overall number of these "problems". More people = more problems. It is very unfortunate that many chose to only look at and hear only one figure - 'X' deaths per year.

Speaking of: what is the annual percentage of school shooting? (The figure that truly matters!)
population [divided by] school shootings

I highly doubt the percentage (per capita) has gone up, at all.

One thing is for sure: we'd all be better off with out weapons, but I know that will not happen (too much machismo now a days, from both males and females), because we really have not evolved. We only think we have (evolved) because we have made some technological advancements - technology has evolved, yet we regress, further each day.

Prime example: people are always gawking in each other’s backyard even though their own is a freakin' mess.