[user104658]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Bout time they tightened up the gun laws properly isnt it...

I know the odd thing like this would still happen, but if kids weren't allowed guns in the first place, it would be rarer.

Kids aren't allowed guns, it's 18 for rifles and shotguns and 21 for handguns (most commonly used in these sorts of shootings because they can be hidden)...

For that reason, a change in the law would make very little difference. The guns are "out there" and obtainable (most criminals who own guns are not licensed to own them in the first place, making it illegal would make zero difference) and the incidents of high school shootings are a cultural phemomenon... in the sense that "it happened, so it will continue to happen". Essentially, some messed up kid did it and it got a huge amount of media attention, so now any messed up / angry kid with a death wish who wants to go out in a "blaze of glory" in the US has that image culturally imprinted in his mind.

I'm not saying that I agree with the fairly easy availability of firearms in the US, per se... the number of accidental deaths with them makes a good case for stronger restrictions... just that I don't think it would alter the "high school shooting" situation at all. If someone wanted to get hold of one, it would still be easy enough (it's not THAT hard in the UK, if you have the cash and know who to ask) and let's face it... someone who's planning to shoot up their school and then turn the gun on themselves isn't going to suddenly stop and say "Oh no, it would be illegal for me to have a gun! Back to the drawing board..."