LA Times: Actually, there is a clear link between mass shootings and mental illness
In particular, the strongest link between the various mass shootings is the use of psychotropic medications on the part of the killers. However, given how many people in our culture are dependent upon meds to regulate their moods, that's too personal a reality to contemplate. It would be best if a lobbying organization is to blame. This, certainly, is the narrative promoted by my ordained colleagues.
By the way, when I was in 6th grade, I was a member of my school's rifle team. Once a week, we would walk to school in the morning with our rifles, store them in office of the principal's secretary [by store, I mean lean them together in a neat circle by the door], use them at the range, then walk home with them at the end of the day. There were never, ever any accidents or moments of malice. We wouldn't even think of it; we would never joke about it.
We may have been a bunch of hillbillies, but it seems our simple world was far kinder than what the Age of Kardashian has produced. Also, we were the eighth best elementary school rifle team in the state.