School Gun Shootings: Access to Guns or Something Else?

I don't think anyone will assert (if you do, please cite sources) that school gun shootings were more prevalent in the U.S. fifty, sixty or seventy years ago than today.

I also don't think that anyone can seriously argue that access to guns was more strictly controlled fifty, sixty or seventy years ago than today.

So, then, if access to guns was far easier fifty, sixty or seventy years ago than today and yet there were not just fewer but [b]FAR FEWER[/b] school shootings than today, isn't it reasonable to conclude that other factors are at work that are resulting in [b]FAR MORE[/b] school shootings than simply the mere access to a firearm?

EDIT:
Statistical reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_shootings_in_the_United_States

School Massacres Around the World
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_massacres_by_death_toll

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SW-User

Well it's obviously video games right? lol....pretty sure that was one of the first reasons I heard being spouted off as it always is when one of these shootings happen.

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

@SW-User [b]The reason doesn't matter[/b]. The point is take away access to guns and ammo from people who shouldn't have them; mental cases, criminals, drunks and drug users. If those lunatics who did those school shooting had not been able to get ahold of guns or ammo, all those victims would be alive and well now.

SW-User

@badminton What should the standard of mental health be for owning a gun?

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

@SW-User There are a number of warning signs: For example, If someone is going on twitter and ranting about paranoid conspiracy theories and advocate killing people, they are very likely bonkers, fruity as a nut cake and I really don't want them having access to guns or ammo. It's a no-brainer!

SW-User

@badminton “Bonkers” by whose standards? Yours??

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

If someone is making death threats they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns or ammo. They might hurt somebody. It's not rocket science.

SW-User

@badminton So how do they monitor this? Does a person go into a store and the gun seller has to be given access to all forms of social media and journals which they must review before deciding if the customer is able to purchase the gun?

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

That's what background checks are for.

I would like to see a requirement for a gun owner's license to buy guns or ammo. To get a gun license a person would be finger printed, have to pass a deep background check and be required to take a gun safety training class. Most mental cases would be too paranoid for that, and criminals would not like the attention.

*The people who would bitch the loudest about having to take a gun safety class are the ones who need it the most.

SW-User

@badminton I'm not against stricter background checks but they would have done no good in the Santa Fe shooting. Guns used were legally owned by the father.

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

@SW-User We need to change the liability laws to hold gun owners liable for reckless misuse such as leaving guns loaded and unsecured in homes or vehicles.

If the shooter's father had locked up his guns in a safe, maybe that lunatic would not have been able to get ahold of them and all those victims would still be alive. Also, way too many children are being shot by loaded guns left accessible and unlocked by irresponsible gun owners.

We need strong gun owner liability laws with big fines and jail time.

SW-User

@badminton Well in Texas there are negligence storage laws that can push liability back onto parents for crimes their kids commit with a gun. But in Texas the law defines a child as 16 or under...shooter was 17.