By definition, these are disturbed people, just like by definition, the cops (I'll still say allegedly) fell down on the job. So much that I bet some or all of them are having suicidal thoughts, realizing that most of the country is probably thinking "what are you waiting for?" None of these guys went to work that day expecting a chance to become historical symbols of either courage or cowardice.

Most people who want gun control don't want to pry anyone's gun from his or her cold dying hand. And no, I don't agree with your black and white, it's either guns or mental madness, description of the root cause. Black and white, zero sum, all or nothing is the tale demagogues need to promote to encourage fear.

But if you think of the problem more holistically, the logic makes more sense - throwing guns at a problem of too much gun violence is likely far costlier than figuring out ways to make guns a bit less available to the raving lunatics among us.

Which doesn't mean all levels of security measures aren't also on the table. But "hey, if want to bring a gun, bring a gun" without really intensive (and thus very costly) training and vetting requirements - good luck with the outcome of that policy.