While I am for greater gun control laws, lets remember that Canada also has high level of...

[NNguyenMD]

gun ownership, and does not have the level of gun violence or frequency of mass shootings that the US endures.

I think that in addition to the greater accessibility of firearms is also a deeper rooted problem in how we treat those suffering from a disabling mental illness. I don't claim to know the details of how Adam Lanza mental health was provided, Coming from a wealthy family, he may have had a lot of resources at his disposal.

I just think that as communities and as a country, we don't ignore the folks out there who are silently suffering from these ailments, alone and hopeless.

From the media reports and interviews, it doesn't seem like anyone in Newtoen really knew who Adam Lanza was, other than a troubled kid who kept to himself. Not even his brother was in touch with him. I can only imagine the immense isolation that likely drove this man to commit these horrific acts.

Add this to a hyper-sensationalist media so fascinated with why people commit these heinous crimes, it's no surprise that mass murder-suicide looks like a viable option to these highly disturbed individuals.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. They also have a lot more laws

Including licensing and background requirements that would give the NRA fits.

They also mostly do not license pistols. Most of the weapons in private hands are riffles.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Sounds good to me

[Harmony Blue]

3. Canada has more laws

and regulations for anything really.

BTW they also have UNIVERSAL health care which emphasized preventive care.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Yup

[Phlem]

4. I'm sure the dead at that school

will find that most interesting.

-p

[Lionessa]

5. Particularly if it is also true that his mother

"pushed him" (I read bullied him) for being a well dressed, pocket protector type loner. The isolation and all the anger at knowing that his social disabilities were pot shots for his mother instead her recognizing that she was likely the cause of his low self-esteem and his social disabilities.

[DanTex]

7. Canada has less guns and tighter gun laws.

It's not easy to get a handgun in Canada. In fact, a lot of the handguns used by criminals in Canada are smuggled in from the US.

[frazzled]

8. Canada has a much lower rate of gun ownership than the US

and stricter regulations. The US is Number 1 in the world in gun ownership, with 88.8 guns per 100 residents. Canada is 13th in the world, with 30.8 guns per 100 residents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_guns_per_capita_by_country

[rDigital]

9. You can own a semi-auto AR-15 in Canada, anyone can. nt

[intaglio]

11. ... and ownership of such weapons is strictly controlled and licensed

You are just making an argument in favour of gun control, thank you.

[rDigital]

12. That doesn't prevent anyone who wants one from owning one. Did I mention that the Canadians

recently scrapped their rifle registration program? No more registration for long guns.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/canada/120216/canadian-conservative-government-scraps-controversial-long-gun-registry

[intaglio]

13. One aspect of the gun control system has gone

That still leaves many others in place.

In other words you are still making the case for gun control, thank you

[Odin2005]

10. Canada is what the US would be without the wing-nuts.