Mr. Schaeuble, are you serious?

True, a combination of mental health problems and societal influences, among others, play a part in reasons behind most school shootings, and all factors should be addressed. However, it is hard to control mental health and society at large. Tim Kretschmer, the 17 year-old shooter who killed 15 before taking his own life, had a history of depression and failed to continuously attend his outpatient therapy sessions. No one had control over helping him, just as no one has control over forcing an individual to continuously take medication for their mental illness. There is no total control over mental health.

Additionally, though attempts have been made, and some ground gained, in protecting influential children against violence and sex in television, films and video games, there will never be strong enough protection. If a 13 year-old wants to play Resident Evil 4 (ranked the #1 most violent video game), the age restriction on its purchase will not stop him. A friend, older brother or even his parents will purchase it for him and within the first minutes of play, that impressionable mind will see the corpse of a woman pinned up on a wall by a pitchfork through her face. There is no total control over societal influences.

There is control over guns. With tighter gun CONTROL laws, access to these killing machines can be greatly restricted. It is naïve to think that stricter gun control laws will put an end to school shootings, but with nothing else to control, we must turn to legislation in hopes of one day getting through a school year shooting-free.

Tighter gun control laws –- it’s a no-brainer, people.