Thanks for this post @krnel and for trying to inject some reality into the debate surrounding these horrific crimes.

To my way of thinking and from what you wrote in your post, mental illness has nothing to do with mass shootings. Consequently restricting gun access to those with mental illness will not do anything to alter the incidences of these events (by the way, I'm not saying that those with mental illness who are prone to violence or self-harm should be given access to weapons!).

As to the cause of shootings? I haven't researched this in anyway but I would say that the glorification of violence through the media and video games and the subsequent desensitisation to violence that occurs must have some effect. Also, from what I have read about the Nicholas Cruz shootings, it seems that the authorities were very negligent in their handling of warnings given to them about the potential for this to happen. Maybe, therefore, the authorities need to be more proactive to help combat this kind of event?

Thanks once more for the post.