Mass public shootings today are more frequent and deadlier.

[yagotme]

16. WHERE did I ask for sympathy?

The current "gun nut", as you say, spent time in a military hospital for mental problems. A measly 2 weeks. Like wanting to shoot up his base. However, the Army didn't see fit to notify local LEO of this, to get him entered into the NICS database. LIKE THE LAW ALLOWS!!! If only the current laws were enforced, perhaps we wouldn't have a need to call for new ones. Wait, laws not being obeyed, so we need new ones? Makes very little sense, doesn't it. All those drunk drivers, let's ban alcohol, too, while we're at it. It's for the children, after all, and if it saves one life...

ETA; And, to your initial question, yes they can. Was it the right thing to do? Had grievances been filed, and ignored? If we CAN do a thing, SHOULD we do it??? (Research shows that most of the rebels were not prosecuted, and/or pardoned, including Shay himself. What does that say about the Gov't crackdown?)