timeout: The society you and I grew up in no longer exists. If we were to be honest with ourselves, look at the clear reasons for many of those changes. We had rifles to hunt with, and did just that. At that time, there was no AR-15. Soon after they became available, the use of military fatigues became popular. Then came the gun shows displaying magazines capable of holding an untold number of rounds. You can buy virtually anything "military" from a surplus store. Tactical gear became popular. Anyone can purchase it. With the big money to be made in this industry, we not only make it available to anyone, but also make it so appealing and macho. Our children follow the current trends, just as you and I did with our bolt action rifles. Are the children of KKK members mentally unstable due to being raised in a family setting that promoted hate? Hardly. I remember gangs when they used baseball bats, chains, stickball bats and fists. Handguns were readily available, as were long guns. They weren't very popular due to having to include a bit of marksmanship. At the time, you did not see gun magazines promoting tactical gear, high cap magazines, tactical training. We are so eager to blame mental illness as the contributing factor. Why? Because that is what we want people to believe. We promote the use of guns, no matter the type, yet are so eager to blame the media, liberals and mental illness when they are used to kill innocent people. With many of the deceased children being laid to rest today, now is the time to take a deep breath, step back, hug your children and express your love for them, assure them there is nothing as safe as being wrapped in a fathers arms, and pray for the surviving family members of those slain innocent children.