Originally Posted by kane

To me it is a collection of things (in no specific order):

1. Access to guns is easy.

2. Mental health issues are still not something dealt with properly.

3. Information/video games/movies submerse kids in a world of violence and while I don't think these things cause them to carry out these terrible acts I think they they do aid in the efficiency of how the are carried out. With video games these days kids learn about tactics, cover, kills shots etc. With the internet they have access to information on how to build bombs, where and how to get things like bullet proof vests etc.

4. The media saturation of these events almost dares the next person who is considering doing this to do it bigger and better than the last person. For a few days following this most recent shooting it was pretty much all that was on the news. Overnight the killer went from being some unknown kid to being a name everyone knew. His picture was/is everywhere and the news is comparing what he did those those who did similar things in the past. They are also detailing exactly how he did this. They are basically telling people, "If you ware troubled and want to kill yourself, do it in a way where you kill 20 people before you died and we will turn you into a celebrity."

You mix this all together and it creates a perfect storm that makes for a fertile breeding ground for people who want to act out like this.