What can be done to reduce the occurrence of mass shootings in America?

"I think a combination of stricter gun control measures and a higher focus on helping people with mental health issues would significantly reduce the amount of shootings. Gun control is a very obvious solution to this problem but I think without mental health improvements gun control wouldn't be as effective as if you're commited enough you could just get a gun illegaly."

• "First, we need common sense gun laws: mandatory thorough background checks at the very least but all of the other provisions President Biden recommended would be best case scenario. If the perpetrators didn’t have access to guns, they may not have had the means to carry out these attacks. Second, we need stronger mental health supports. We need to destigmatize mental health and get more comfortable talking about it so can make sure people know it’s okay to get help when they need it."

"Many of the people who are shooters have some form of mental illness. We should be working on helping those who are suffering from mental illness and other emotional issues. Money should go towards creating opportunities for people to go into the professional fields, to provide communities/neighborhoods/schools with enough recourses to help people in need. When someone wants to harm another, they will choose whatever weapon they can get their hands on, so more gun restrictions/laws will not stop the violence. Helping people to be better and healthier human beings should be the focus."

• "The US needs to focus more on mental health in addition to imposing restrictions on ownership of guns and the sale of assault rifles. Poor mental health seems to be directly related to erratic, violent behavior and suicidal tendency. Our healthcare in general is in shambles! Too expensive and out of reach for so many. Prescription drug prices are insanely high, too."

"Educate people who own a gun and complete more thorough background checks. People who buy guns should be required to learn how to use them properly. In addition, schools and other various organizations can be required to teach people how to better prepare for shooting type situations."

• "Gun ownership needs to be treated exactly the same way as owning/driving a car. It needs to come with extensive training, licensure, insurance, registration, and even mental health screening. These prerequisites will enhance gun safety and lower incidents of violence by limiting ownership to only the most serious, the most qualified, and the most dedicated."

"More gun laws won’t solve the problems our society has created with the way we have isolated people with mental illness. Not being able to link this individual to the university in any way is especially troubling with the ability of officials to follow digital footprints today. The people committing these horrendous crimes are living among us but we are told that “no one saw it coming “or “they were mentally disturbed “. More laws won’t stop that. People reaching out and caring about one another will help."

• “I would like to see required classes for individuals who want to purchase guns. Sales would no longer happen anywhere, but only at a ‘school’ where each gun purchase also comes with mandatory courses about gun maintenance, safety precautions, and conversations around mental health.”

“Studies by the FBI have revealed that there are patterns of behavior. If we can be educated on these patterns in order to recognize them ahead of time and even know how to keep them from going unchecked, we could avoid more mass shootings.”

• “I don’t think any of the things the gov’t is suggesting will be effective. The biggest issue we need to address is mental health. Every time we have one of these issues, we hear stories about how everyone knew the person was capable of this, but there was no avenue to stop it.”