Hi ericnorstog, I am a pessimist on some things.  In the middle east, the terrorists don't even use guns for most of their mass killing.  They use bombs.  Recently, I don't remember where, a killer simply drove a truck on a sidewalk to kill many.  If, by magic, all guns could be removed the usa, I think killers would still operate.  I won't even mention some of the ways I can think of so that they are not copied.  The focus on the guns misses the fundamental human problem of lack of respect for life.  We see it all around us.  We should be advocating respect for life.  No mass murders in China (where I am right now) because the people respect life.  With the massive crowds here, a truck driver could easily take out hundreds.  But respect for life is taught here.

By the by, the murder rate in Australia has not dramatically dropped.  A web site of the Australian government tracks murders.  They have not dramatically changed as a result of the gun action.  Take care.