I think it is sad, that our country is coming to a place in time that a person feels there is no alternative to life than to take the lives of others and his own. We must start comming together as a community to stop this behavior. We keep hoping that the government will save us. I have news for all of us, this is all our fault. We have taken the focus off of rasing our children, working so much that the violence of TV and dogs running the streets are who are rasing them. It is time to take our country back from the corporations and fat cat government officials before our country ends up like Iraq or the Gaza Strip. If you dont know what I am talking about then there lyes the problem. Jammer.

Jammer, Denison, Texas

I cannot believe people waste their energy "forgiving" and embracing a mass murderer. He was a loner, and sad, and depressed. And, so what? He's accountable. Everyone is accountable. Too many people are too eager to embrace the pure *celebrity* of this hideous crime. He felt like nobody, so he killed indiscriminately to die famous. That's so far beyond pathetic.

Renee, San Diego,

I feel like this could have all been prevented, there are some parents out there that let their children do what they want just cause they dont want to deal with them. I have met Robbie and he seemed to be a trouble and depressed kid, just like every other kid in America... but what he didnt have that most of us are lucky to have is the guideness of our partents. We need to relize as partents what impacts we really have....

God Bless all the Families that were involves

Jessica, Omaha, NE

I love Robbie with all my heart!! I know that he will be forgiven. I knew and still know how he felt and feels. I understand in a way that other people think i'm insane. But i know that he is in a better place. I'm here for you Robbie!

I love Robbie with all my heart!

Bonnie, Mesa, Arizona

Oh, Robert.
If only someone had given him the help that I was given. I've always had depression, and know a lot of what he was feeling. I don't blame him too much, it wasnt your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault, really. I feel in my heart that I will never get to feeling how he did, but Oh my God, have I been close.
I wish the world and I had gotten to know you. People just don't understand. do they?

Anna, Spartanburg, SC

I pray for Robbie's soul each day, several times a day. I would ask those willing to do so, to do the same. Thanks.

D. Delgado, Portlnad, OR

They have to completely forbid carrying or even using weapons.
Its the best thing that can happen to human society to protect from these incidents. Everyone that is atched up with a gun in his pocket should be charged. Its enough that the armies of this world are teaching us to use these instruments, they should be banned. I highly doubt that someone is able to kill others just with his hands in most of the cases .....

Theo, NRW, GER

Unless you have had a child with serious disorders such as his, then you have no idea what was going on with him. It's real easy to say he should've done this, and he should've done that, but that would be rational! He was obviously a deeply troubled child. It sounds to me that his father did everything he knew. You have no right to judge whether his parents did enough. I myself have a teenager with serious issues, that we have been dealing with all his life. There is only so much parents and the state can do. Stop blaming!

Stacey, Nashville, TN

RIP Robert Hawkins. You will be missed.

Jesse, NYC,

In reference to my last post, in NO WAY did I mean to suggest I have ANY sort of sympathy for or agreement with Hawkins' actions (be it his petty thievery, his threats toward his stepmother, or his actions at the mall). Not at all. Never. The harmful and illegal things he did were wrong and the murders he committed were completely heinous and to be condemned. I was only speaking to the idea that why Hawkins did what he did doesn't matter. I think it does matter -very much - since future such murders and acting out must be prevented to the best of society's ability. And understanding then education are crucial if society is to reach out to troubled human beings and successfully aid them.

Terry Pierce, GR, MI

I live in Omaha, work very close to Von Maur. I think the best way to view this is not in terms of who is right and who is wrong. To question who is to blame- even though it is natural for us to want to place blame. In the end, it doesn't really matter whether it was the system who failed this kid, his parents, or his own derangement. The end is still the same- people died. Could it have been prevented? We will never know.

I find it funny that people are saying God Bless those who have lost loved ones, and in the same breath are blaming the parents and upbringing of this kid. They lost a loved one too- so shouldn't God bless them too? We blame them for being selfish parents and yet- then you say you believe in the bible and the teachings of Christ. Doesn't sound very Christian to me. I think perhaps while you are condemning the kids parents, you have forgotten to read the words of Christ yourself- or perhaps you choose to interpret those words differently.

Jenny, Omaha, NE

I pray for the families of the victims. It is a shame that they have to suffer and their loved ones lost their lives because of a troubled boy... esp. when it wasn't his fault... it was the way he was raised, obviously from the time he was very young. I blame parents these days... too involved in their own self to be involved with the children they bring into this world. I blame the people who are offended by the words GOD and God Bless and MERRY CHRISTMAS. This world is a scary place anymore and it is sad that innocent people have to suffer because of selfishness and lack of knowledge of the bible.
GOD BLESS all families who have lost a loved one, especially due to violent crimes.

Maria, Pgh, PA

This isn't really a gun-control issue, but since some people are trying to make it one, I will recite what I recently read on a pick-up truck bumper sticker, "Guns kill people like forks make them fat." I will never understand the mentality many people have about guns causing violence. Guns are merely a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver. If you take the gun out of the equation, it will be replaced by something else. The problem is the person holding it. If you think violence will go away when the gun does, I would have to say you aren't thinking it through.

Aric, Lacona, NY

Brrr...it sure is cold in here. Yep, lots of people have crappy upbringings, are dumped by their parents, lose their penny ante jobs, break up with their loves, have emotional problems (perhaps because of some of the aforementioned incidents?), etc., but maybe some of us feel a bit of empathy for a human being - ie, one of us - who was VERY young and immature, who had more than one or two things that you mentioned occur back to back in his short life, who's now gone, who totally screwed up, and who definitely hasn't escaped justice (if you believe - as I do - in the God of the Bible). Maybe it's just sad to some of us that EVERYONE who died is dead.

Terry Pierce, GR, MI

You know what? A lot of times poeple just do things for no real reason. I have had plenty of friends whose parents divorced, my son has ADHD, I have been prescribed Zoloft before, I'm sure scores of people break-up with their girlfriends / boyfriends daily, I'm sure thousands of people are fired daily in the fast food industry, and there has got to be legal gun owners in Amereica ranging in the millions, yet the vast majority of the people described don't kill others indiscriminantly in public places. I'm really sick of talking about this kid's background and / or his feelings, like we can somehow pinpoint a problem and deal with it. I am here to tell you that the closest we will ever come to the source of the problem is a lot of pointing fingers, very few of which in the direction of the shooter. The system didn't fail him, he failed it. I think the worst part about this is the shooter avoided prosecution.

Aric, Lacona, NY

He had so much potential.

Lorenzo Patterson, Fairmont, NV

"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" ...my deepest sympathy to all involved,including Robert Hawkins...the victims and his parents and family must be suffering the most incredible pain imaginable...this boy was also in a deep depression...this is a horrible condition NO human being should subjected to...I must have watched the video of him entering the mall over a hundred times, especially the first one at 1:36 CST ...any observant person can tell by his motions and body language of his uncontrollable anxiousness ,specifically when he turns around toward the exit and shakes his hands while they are tucked up inside the sleeves of his hoody ...I think he was close to chickening out at this moment...he made a stop close to the mall just before 1:30CST...still not sure...could he be thinking ,in his mind,that by not going through with this,he would be a failure at being a failure and be subject,again ,to an endless future of agony & pain...I'm 52 & cried several times.

Joseph, Niagara Falls , New York USA

Oh dear, this story is so sad.
how sad it is to think how troubled that kid was, i am also sad for the families who lost their loved ones.
how sad it is that kids who might end up like him or feel like him are born everyday and already exist.
I wish parents (i am not blaming the nurse- i mean biologic parents- the one who decide to bring him to the world) would take more care of their kids and make sure they are well...

Ofira Alkalay Bear, Moshav Herut, Israel

Well, basically this kid thought that he had meant nothing to the world [thats what it seems like to me] and [also what i thought] he wanted to become part of the in crowd and get noticed. I do feel sorry for all the families that had to death with any kid of death involving this. Just some boy who was mistaken.

Rachel, Hamburg, PA

and do not forgive truly it is not in your power
to forgive in the name of those betrayed at dawn
(Z.Herbert, ‘Mr Cogito’)

I think people should change their attitude towards weak people – you are trying to find the cause of their behavior and justify their actions. There is no forgiveness – such enormity must be laced. It must be a lesson for others who think that when they kill some people they will be famous – they won’t, they will be condemned.

Aldaris, Cracow, Poland

There are so many idiots all over the world responding to this issue, I don't know where to begin! Gun control WILL NOT STOP those wanting to commit crimes from doing so -- it will just prevent the law-abiding citizens from being able to protect themselves. The problem with American media is that people who commit crimes with guns are given an audience; those who successfully defend themselves against crime using guns are not given a second glance from the media. Why? Because American media no longer objectively reports the news, as it should; rather, every news outlet follows its own political agenda -- the public will hear what the news outlets wants them to hear, nothing more. I will say that society is seriously eroding traditional values of the USA and others around the world like it to the point that right is wrong and wrong is right. It should come as no surprise, then, that this will not be the last time a tragedy like this will happen - not by a long shot..
F. Kerry-USA

Faith Kerry, Villa Rica, Georgia

I think he should have just done society a favor and shot himself only. After the state spent all of that money to try and cure him of his problems, he went and killed innocent people. I think if he would have just took the time to think about things rationally, he could have spared those peooples lives and his own, but he was a coward and took the coward way out. So all I have to say is I hope he is happy what he did, and while all of the other victims are resting in heaven, he can burn in hell for what he did.

Sharla, Omaha,

He was 19, he didnt need his parents to support him every step of the way, it was time he found his own path of life. Unfortuanatly, he did not do it rationally, but a cowardly way, and if you ask me, society would have been better off without him, he coudl have put himself out of his misery, but he chose to cause more, so to all of you that feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for you, becuase you obviosly dont understand. My prayers are with the victims, as well as him, beucase I will be hoping he pays for all of this that he has done. Rest in Peace to the victims, to him, not so much.

Shawn, LBC,

God Bless everyone who didn't make it out of the Von Maur mall.

Dan, Orlando, Florida

I will not type this person's name. He was a selfish individual. Many people have problems, and don't turn violent against innocent people. The "system" did not fail him. He was involved in the system because he made bad choices and he continued to make bad choices until the day he died. He did not do what he did because he was troubled or because he didn't know what else to do. He did this out of pure evil. Many troubled people end their own lives unfortunately, but what he did was unforgivable. He did this the way that he did, not to end his "pain" but to "become famous." He even stated that in one of his final notes. I won't say his name as I know that would serve to satisfy what he wanted. He does not deserve to get anything that he wanted.

Amanda, Omaha, NE

Unless our society do something to keep guns out of the hands of the non-military and non-police personnel, rampages like this will never stop. Woe to the people who sell guns irresponsibly. Woe to whoever have allowed guns to become intruments for peacekeeping, it has never really served this purpose. Anywhere on earth, we are miserable to be using these things. Woe to the selfish divorcing parents who leave their children in wretched situation.

Marivic, Dubai, UAE

I cried when I heard what had happened with Hawkins. I understand his doings and I know people are extremly angry about what happened, but I think Hawkins pain was far suprior. Society does have to have the blame for his pain too. Plus, I would have forgiven him right away (that's what God would have wanted me to do) and I kinda wished I could have had a chance to talk with him. I am happy though because I know God would take care of him and the victims at the shootings.

Liz , Arvada, CO

I have no sympathy for Hawkins. He turned an assualt rifle on innocent people, I don't care how screwed up his home life was. Sure, the parents should have loved him, but he was the one who did the murdering.

Craig, Omaha, NE

The poor boy had no parents. His mother and father should be held accountable..Any adult who rejects his/her own child is a sociopath in their own right. God bless the family who took him in.

Holly, Ft Worth, TX

When I first heard of this trageday it wasn't hard to believe. It became more surreal as the news was heard. I feel for all involved. I do feel for robert Hawkins. WE are all equal human beings here under God. Society is to blame. Parents are to blame. Wake UP!! Why do people need assualt rifles in their home?? these rifles were designed for war.
Land of the FREE Home of the Brave.
GOD Bless you ALL...

kewlmark, Omaha, Nebraska

My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible crime, but it also goes out to the perpetrator - a victim himself of a terrible crime - the crime of being dumped by his parents. How heartbreaking that a 19 year old - a kid, not an adult (how many of us were stable, productive, mature adults at the age of 19?) - was homeless, without guidance, without security, without support from the "adults" who brought him into the world and who he knew - who we ALL know -- owed him love and loyalty until the very end (even if that meant the inconvenience of "tough love" -- a love that would've still required being involved). He wanted to matter - to MATTER - to those to whom he knew he belonged. I guess he felt that if he couldn't matter to them, at least he'd matter to John Q. Public by acting out in a way that would make him "famous". Unfortunately, he's been lost forever now and, like I said, how incredibly heartbreaking that is, especially because of the 8 innocent souls he took out too.

Terry Pierce, GR,

I agree so much with what is said by Kathy, Methuen, MA.
Can't you se that this is a last deperet act from a person in pain? It's not ok to take someone else's life.. But JESUS.. What were the parents thinking? I feel nothing but sadness when i think about the pain he must have gone through..
May Robert rest in peace.. And I hope he is in a better place, where people actually care about him...!
This is just sick.. I can't believe it...

Kristine, Norway,

Again, another victim of a system. A finger-pointed heroe dies under the attack of his own dreams.

Suerte, buen amigo..

Walter, Viña del mar, Chile

Robert wasn't a loser. He was a troubled soul who was given up on too early. I don't condone what he did & my heart goes out to the victims & to Robert. I believe that Roberts parents & Todd Landry, Dir., of Nebraska Healthy & Human Services Div of Children & Family Services have ALLOT to do with Roberts final decision. He was given up on at the age of 14 & in Aug 2006 he was once again just given up on when Mr. Landry along with Roberts parents made the choice to send him out on his own with nothing. No meds for his mental health issues, no treatments, no place to call home. The people he told he loved in his suicide note are the ones who gave up on him so easily. We were blessed with our children for a reason & that reason was NOT to give up on them & toss them out like they don't matter just because they have issues & need our help....that's when they need us the most. I only hope hope that Roberts troubled soul is now at peace.

Kathy, Methuen, MA

Parents....Screw gun control. Let us try cell phone control. Let us try computer time control. Let us try Playstation,Wii,X-box360...ect..ect..ect control and let us try some T.V. control.

Let us try to teach our children that they are no more special than there neighbor. Let us take a step back and install the same values our parents and grandparents installed in us.

Men...wear protection if you dont plan on raising your young up to man or womenhood. THEY NEED YOU.

Women...wear protection if you dont plan on raising your young to man or womenhood.THEY NEED YOU.

Omaha...May God comfort all. May He answer the individual questions all of us have as to why something so terrible would happen in our peaceful part of the world.

To everyone who lost a Son,Daughter,Mom,Dad,Brother.Sister,Grandmother,Granfather,Cousin,Uncle,Niece,Nephew...ect..ect....I hope and pray that the pain you are suffering is lightened by the fact that the whole City cry's with you.

K. Kuehner, Omaha, Nebraska

To "certain" people here Robert was NOT a loser. I believe that both Robert Hawkins parents along with Mr. Todd Landry, Director of the Nebraska Health and Human Services Division of Children and Family Services have ALLOT to do with the choice that Robert made when he took the lives of 8 others & included himself. Robert's parents along with Mr. Landry & the Nebraska Health & Human Services made the choice to give up on Robert leaving him with nothing back in August of 2006. They left him with no meds for his mental health issues, no place to call home, they left him with bascially the clothes he was wearing and nothing more. Those whom he loved were the ones who gave up on him so easily. I don't condone what he did, my heart goes out to the victims & to Robert.....& I think we ALL need to realize that we were blessed with our children for a reason & that reason was not to throw them away. I can only hope Roberts troubled soul is at peace.

Kathy, Methuen, MA

More easy answers to the hard questions.
BAN GUNS BAN GUNS???
How about asking the really tough questions. Why did this kid feel this rampage was his only escape? Can you antigun advocates answer that one? Its easy to make a bomb out of chemicals from Home depot too. Should we ban those, because if there are no guns then these "depressed, fame seeking, sicko's" will use that instead.
Its so easy to blame the tool and not the tool user. Seems to me people feel that if they hate their lives the answer is to kidnap , hold hostage or kill innocent people for recognition. The most famed mass murderers in history, the 9/11 highjackers used boxcutters people, boxcutters... You are not safe in this world and the government cannot save you from random crazy folks, deal with it. I will personally protect myself form the likes of this guy with my concealed handgun. (legal carrier by the way)

Xipotec, Winston Salem, nc

My heart is with those that lost their love one that night. So sad, so awful to lose someone you love like that. For the parents of these kids.. blame on you.. shame of you.. they need to go to jail, or pay for what happen. He is 19, still underage. How easy is to let others take care of your own fault. That is the rush of having kids to pretend to be a family, if when they are trouble and complicated is to easy to throw him out like a dog. I am just wondering about their others kids what kind of life they are living now and what kind of family values are they growing. Are they going to treat them the same way when they start to be trouble adolescent's.And for those that defend the right to own a gun "for this special case" in where a crazy traumatized human being decided to kill in the name of wherever he thinks. How often those a victim who owns a gun has been skillful enough to use it? Not even the security guards has been fast enough.

marisa, asbhurn, virginia

I don't understand why parents can't control their children anymore..it's rather sad.

Brittany, Mobile, Alabama

While I appreciate the American view to bear arms against the Government, do you really think you could over throw it, when it has full control of the military?

I'm also concerned that carrying guns in a protest, in public is illegal anyway, even if it is against the Government. So while it's protected under your constitution, you would still be arrested for doing it. I don't think the Government you tried to over throw with force would be to understanding with you after that, even if it is constitutional.

By the way, your constitution changes all the time, that's why it's an ammendment. Surely changing the constitution defies the point of it, so the 2nd "ammendment" contradicts having a constitution, surely, as it acknowledges the constitution is flawed?

I am originally from the UK.

Mark, Kissimmee, Florida

The gun lobby twist the right to bear arms when it was written you had muskets not automatic assault weapons with armour piercing ammo

But Americans buy this and then beat their chests and cry when things like this happen. They should add a new amendment The right not to be killed illegally

knight, aberden, uk

Gun control? Bill of Rights? Who cares, folks. ...God bless all of their souls who died....The morale of the story is to Love your children-Unconditionally. It's the one and only thing you were put on this earth to do if you happened to blessed with kids.... and apparently Robert's parents got it wrong...the note he left is heartbreaking. How can a person let their child feel like this?

Holly, California, USA

Parents, you need to love your kids when they are little. Watch what you say and do. They are very fragile . I have heard parents call their children stupid and idiots. That is DEGRADING. we are all guilty of this Stop the ABUSE. Be aware of other peoples feelings and care about other people . I had a wonderful son who commited suicide 25 years ago and thank the Lord he didn't take anyone with him. I just wish Roberts parents would have been there for him and this maybe would of had a differant outcome.Bless all the families who suffered a loss and God Bless You All

Maureen, Denison, Iowa

Seth from Richmond: Most people in my circle who are so passionate about the 2nd Amendment, who will brook no checks on the right of the people to bear arms, are strangely indifferent to the other Amendments to the Bill of Rights. The 1st, 4th, 5th, and 8th Amendments have been taking a hell of a beating over the last 20 years or so (I'm not going to lay it ALL at Bush's feet, but at the very least certainly is at least as enthusiastic about removing 4th & 5th Amendment protections as any other President has been).

Can somebody please explain to me why so many of those who revere the 2nd Amendment could give a rat's a$$ about the rest of the Bill of Rights?

SJohn, Tucson, USA

There should be a ban on guns with 29,00 deaths a year are we crazy as a country? hey while were at it lets ban cars too they kill far more each year then guns i also heard 500 people died from caffine overdose last year so no more sodas! A crazy person that has his mind made up will stop at nothing gun or not. i love my right to own guns so when one of these crazy kids comes around i can defend myself and innocent people.

Josh, Lynchburg, Va

Clearly the British don't understand the right to bear arms from the American political thought point of view. Here in America we try to place as many restraints on government as possible to keep it from becoming tyrannical. The right to bear arms is a psychological check on the government. An armed populace is a last ditch effort against an authoritarian regime. While the people of the European continent is content to let their governments tell them how its going to be, here in America we the people are the arbiters of our own fate, the only aspect of the political system in which we have no say is in the judicial branch, the Supreme Court which are not directly elected. So to the likes of Legless, please don't comment on things that you couldn't possibly understand unless if you are a political scientist who has studied American political thought.

Thanks,

Seth, Richmond, Virginia, United States

Guns are for defense only... if more SANE people had guns, then they could stop INSANE people from doing stuff like this...

Ed, Seattle, USA

People need to stop victimizing other people and stop doing hate crimes. Educate urselves and get the necessary help to ease ur minds. People should start caring for one another. Spread love and peace because this is really necessary in this cut throat world. I think teenagers nowadays feel helpless because they do not get sufficient TLC from their loved ones. The solution is not just in the guns but also people's attitude towards each other. Its time people start accepting one another and start caring for each other if we have to stop these crimes.

God bless all the families involved.

N.S., Redwood, Califonia

It's too late to make the world "Gunless". There are too many "bad guys" and bad governments with guns already. What, do you think they will give them up too? The Utopia that exists in your house isn't representative of the reality. Law abiding citizens respect what a firearm is and can do. Just like you know that riding in your car is probably the most dangerous thing you will do all day, every day, the law abiding gun owner's are careful, know the rules, and only want to prevent injuries or accidents.

The answer is, of course, education. At an early age, children should be taught the value of life and the consequences of taking it wrongfully. We have severe penalties for murder, we now need to pass laws that make gun-related crime severely punishable, as if a killing had actually occurred. A law as such will help reduce the over numbers, but in instance of murder/suicides, the numbers will increase.

This same holds true for all violent crimes!

P.S. Gun type makes no difference.

R. Hawkins, Rome, USA

I have to laugh at all of you. I got on here to see if i knew any of the victims because I am from Omaha. A lot of you are saying that we all are giving him what he wanted by giving this article attention. But what are you doing reading about him if you don't want to give him attention. And all you foreigners what makes you think you understand our way of life. People from different countries are raised differently and for you to assume that you can understand our believes are standards is bogus. Every government, country, whatever has problems and you thinking you understand how things should work is bogus. For gods sake we have people in America petitioning to take god out of every public statement or song because it can be offensive. And all the idiots that don't like our various countries come here to escape whatever your countries problems are. Obviously America is doing something right to have so many people immigrate.

Molly, Presidion of Monterey,

The Brits are right. Lack of gun control in this country is plain stupid. As much as I'd resent european government control if i lived in Europe, we need some of it over here - regarding access to guns! We look like a bunch of idiots.

Douglas Smartt, Houston, Texas, USA

No guns? He would have used pipe bombs. It's not a gun issue, that's just a convenient lightning rod for people to focus on. The real issue is the decay of a society, the marginalization of disturbed youth, and the blood lust of the media and those who would rather push a political agenda than mourn with the grieving.

JT, Idaho, USA

Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Following that logic, Nukes don't kill people, people kill people. Than why is the US government trying to deny nuclear weapons to some countries?

David, Seattle,

I feel we should put the limelight out on Robert Hawkins parents for giving up on their son and charge them with some consequences. This is very sad for everyone and the parents should be reprimanded.

D. , Fairchild AFB, WA

The state system let him down when they discharged him from their care and the residential treatment program he was in when he turned 18. Ther should have providd him with follow-up care for his mental health issues and some type of support instead they rreturned him to his father in which there were peoblems before. That's messed up. Just because he turned 18, magically the state is done...wow now isn't that something.

cathy, Florida,

Some people here have the mistaken belief that criminals obey gun laws and strict gun laws will prevent gun violence. (Note: Gun crime in the UK is increasing.) The inability of good citizens to buy guns in the UK hasn’t slowed criminals; guns are currently streaming into the UK. Remember the 2005 murder of unarmed PC Sharon Beshenivsky? Criminals don’t care about gun laws.

Worse yet, strict gun control laws make law abiding citizens more vulnerable. Look at New Orleans after Katrina. Citizens without guns were helpless against roving bands of armed criminals. Only citizens who were armed could protect themselves and their property, the police weren’t around.

Finally, it has been little reported that Westroads Mall is a posted “gun free zone.” Only law abiding citizens obey gun free zones, resulting in “killing fields” for criminals because the victim’s can’t shoot back! Criminals are increasingly targeting these zones. Virginia Tech was a gun free zone.

Robert, Omaha, Nebraska

You folks in UK never have any murders do you? This is not a gun issue. It's an issue of the heart. He broke the law and if we had no guns he still would have broken the law. Criminals will have guns but the good folks won't if we have gun control you fruit cakes. Don't worry about our constitution, it is the best written document of our day.

Chris w, broken arrow, ok usa

Everyone is viewing this as a blip in the debate on the right to bear arms in the USA. But what about the more inherent issue? If these shooters are appearing all the time, doesn't that mean there is something wrong with the society? And I don't mean this in terms of "oh the government sucks" but instead of arguing about who can have what (because that will take forever), shouldn't someone take into consideration the fact that so many people are doing this and a lot of them are doing it for the same reason? How many suicides, and homicides are done in a year? How many of them are done by teenagers? There is a state of depression amongst the youth! Why not look at that? There was the shooting in Ohio a few months back and now this, I'm sure there were a lot more. What about Natalie Holloway? She had extremely low self-esteem the only difference between that case and this is the fact that Hawkins took other people's lives too. At the core of it this issue is depression. Help us teens!

Rana, Interlochen, Michigan

The USA controlled available types of firearms legal for possession, for 10 years. It did nothing. The problem cause is not gun type, it is education and the lack of "morality". by "morality", I mean respect, for others and yourself. (i.e. killing, stealing, even lying and cheating are examples or disregard for others)

The deadliest type of firearm is any that is in the hands of a criminal. Research shows that NEARLY ALL firearms used during a crime are obtained ILLEGALLY, regardless of gun type. Therefore, stopping me, a law-abiding citizen, from being able to buy a firearm that is capable of protecting me or my family in an attack is VITAL to my security.

For all who doubt that law-abiding citizens in possession of firearms can make a difference (i.e. the "well-regulated militia" of our constitution), you should read about gun laws and statistics for a city named Kennesaw. In is in the state of Georgia, in the USA. You WILL be suprised.

Yes, below is my real initial and last name.

R. Hawkins, Rome, USA

America,

GUNS ARE THE PROBLEM

NOT THE SOLUTION

scared Brit in Texas, Houston, Texas

This idea of gun possesion in order to protect you from someone who have a gun to protect himself from other people that might shoot him with a gun because he think that he will harm him is a IDIOTIC and CORRUPT LIES from the gov.
ONe man defending himself with a M4A1 + Another guy who feels threatened with AK47 = Bloodbath of the US people.

Please let a wise president and a collective intelligent senate and congress pass an act to end this endless problem leading to forever-will-be-gun homicide.

Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Omaha Mall iS ENOUGH !!

GP, Cambridge, UK

You gun-nuts just don't get it do you? You have around 29 500 gun deaths a year. That's about fourteen 9/11's every year.

And still you spout trite phrase like "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". Not in these cases. The thing that kills people is a bit of metal travelling at high-speed into someones body.

OK. So keep your dam guns. If you really feel the need to protect yourself then keep your guns but make bullets cost $5000 each.

Then, if you really feel the need to shoot someone then you can - but it's going to cost you.

But, nothing will change. And in another couple of months this will happen again. And again.

Cheers

Legless, London,

OK, so it is a right to bear arms in the USA. I can understand that, up to a point.
Most people understand that using guns for hunting or sport could be termed "acceptable", but why handguns ?. They are only designed for one thing, to kill other people. So are AK47's and other assault type weapons. Maybe the US should look at controling the "type" of guns available under its own constitution. It might help reduce the number of these type of incidents. Some might say that the right to beari arms is for personal defence, but against what ?, other people bearing the arms they are legally entitled to under the same constitution ?. Am I the only one who can see that this is a catch 22 situation ?. "I have a gun to defend against my neighbour, who has a gun, and my neighbour has a gun to defend against me". Unfortunately it is now too ingrained to change, but not too ingrained to apply more effective control.

PT, Telford, UK

If the American Constitution gives the right to bear arms then it should also give the responsibility to store them securely and restrict them to defensive handguns rather than offensive semi-automatics. Then troubled youngsters would have less likelihood of acquiring them and be limited in how many people they could take with them.

Cleo, North, UK

Surely you mean "bear" arms?. I find it worrying that people on here don't know the difference between carrying firearms and wearing short-sleeved shirts.

Pete, Hull,

how can profiling the killer be anything but counterproductive? it would be better if his name wasn't mentioned. it would be better if we didn't know the names of the killers at v.tech or columbine. he wanted fame. he's getting it. it's not exactly going to stop the next person wanting to "sign off in style".

if you are going to profile him, it should be to point out that he's a loser. a selfish, lonely loser who has hurt innocent people and deserves only ridicule and disgust. then maybe the next dork who is thinking of drawing attention to his sad, pathetic life will just kill himself quietly. at least we can respect that.

to say that his action was a result of other people's failure is to place the blame on the wrong shoulders. there is simply no excuse for his actions. everybody hurts. there are a lot of people doing their best to help. when they "fail", they should nevertheless be applauded. lessons can be learned, but blame? I think not. this jerk is to blame.

jem, london, uk

Yet another depressed loner turning out to kill.

This has nothing to do with guns, but rather society's treatment of said loners. You heard it from his friends - he was a good guy, wanting to help out - just that no-one wanted him.

Don't bother spending any money on psychiatry, lobbying on gun control - you (rather, all of us) need to change the way society works. RIght now, unless you're rich/powerful/happy, people just don't want to know you.

Outcasts/loners need help. But nowadays, help is seeing a psychiatrist - give them drugs, a pysch assessment and they're cured. Don't be so inhumane. They're humans - the only cure is coming from feeling belonging, to a group or loved one - i.e society itself. No doctor with a PhD will be able to provide that.

Howard, Manchester,

I understand you have 'the right ti bear arms' and that making gun illegal makes them only available to criminals....but I've never understood the need to have firearms in a quite suburban or urban enviroment. doesnt that just encourage crimes like this??

Lucie, Macclesfield, England

Ban the guns and you'll find that these incidents will stop. It's ludicrous that Americans think it's some sort of god-given right to 'bear arms'. Scrap the second ammendment and these sort of situations won't arise so often and that might help clear up the mess that is modern America.

H.A., Birmingham, UK

Quit moaning, its hypocritical. You are a people with "the right to bare arms" emblazoned on your minds and souls. Its your ideology. All other western society's shun this for a reason that's too obvious for the average american to comprehend. But the real tragedy is that you cant stop now, its a downward spiral. With a neo-conservative government and an apathetic population not angry enough to do anything about it, it cannot and will never get better. So stop moaning. These events are a consequence of the way your society treats your own, noone else's. You lock your doors to keep strangers out but your really just building walls and locking yourself in and watching the world through a corporate and politically manipulated system for keeping you all stocked up in fear and paranoia. Think about that ... Americans believe America is best, the rest of us hail from older nations who have learnt the hard way and look on in pity as you would a well meaning child who has lost its way.

JayKay, Canterbury, UK

No matter how many times I hear the gun lobby returning to the 'right to bear arms', why is it I'm not convinced by their arguments? Could it be that they seriously beleive they need to retain arms in case their government turns hard right, becomes a fanatic dictatorship that ignores its citizens and is a threat to their society? Oh, thats right, TOO LATE !! Its happened - how popular is the government??? I don't see hords of Americans marching towards the White House to unceremoniously dump symbolic tea into the river and kick out the President. No, they want to keep guns because then its always the individual who can be blamed for incidents like this and never the system. When you create a society that accepts this level of risk, you can only blame that society when it goes wrong. Wake up America, take responsibility collectively and change the culture that revels in death, destruction, shooting and guns, but then cries when the effect of freedom is ugly.

David Laws, Brussels,

I really don't think guns are to blame here. Banning guns does not achieve anything. In the UK, gun crime has doubled since the last gun control laws were passed in 1997. To all the people that say that we have less crime here, firstly our violent crime rate doubled between 1996 and 2000 and continues to rise, and secondly England has been famous for a low crime rate since way before any gun controls were applied to us. If you examine the numbers, our crime rate has steeply increased since post-World War One gun controls.

We live in a country that has banned the sale and use of narcotics, yet that 'industry' is valued at between £7-8 billion each year. That 'ban' doesn't seem to work to well, and kills almost 3000 people each year. As for car accidents caused by reckless drivers, think of all the people those have killed.

It is too easy to blame the gun, rather than the root of the problem. Ban guns, and you can cut the head off this social weed, but I promise it will grow back.

Tim, London,

This is what makes America such an exciting place to live. You never know whats going to happen. I love it here!

steve touchstone, charleston, sc

"I know if I was in a mall and someone started shooting I would focus on taking out the shooter, not dying with bullet in my back. I've always thought it's not that you live or die, it's how you live and how you die that really matters."

Thats all very well but when someone has an automatic AK-47 it is a tad difficult.

Owain ap Gwilym, Cymry, Cymru

Any weapon is dangerous. having them freely available is totally wrong. It is almost impossible to predict human beings, this is a classic example. I think this could have been easily avoided if there were no guns available or given on special request as done in india.
I have observed others and myself that there will be situations in ur life where u will get really angry and if given some time can cool down.
American life style itself is messed up, and availability of guns makes it more dangerous. There are other parts of world like somalia where guns are available and no govt. still no school shootings. Its already late but Americans need to wake up and come back to basics of life, civil society ......

auzie, bangalore, india

It's a sad bad world and that americans have to bear arms in order to feel safe - freedom ha!

Jane, Glastonbury, England

Good idea, Todd! We should have had him all hopped up on different psych meds! I mean, come on, if you're not happy there's a pill for that, right??

You are what's wrong with America. It is obviously a problem of our sick culture of apathy and violence, and not a problem of nationalized healthcare or gun control. Way to point the finger at the tip of the iceberg though, that really simplifies things, doesn't it? But hey, no one likes complicated issues, right? Maybe there's something good and perverted on TV you can watch to take your mind off of it...

Aaron, Phoenix, Arizona

Good idea, Todd! We should have had him all hopped up on different psych meds! I mean, come on, if you're not happy there's a pill for that, right??

You are what's wrong with America. It is obviously a problem of our sick culture of apathy and violence, and not a problem of nationalized healthcare or gun control. Way to point the finger at the tip of the iceberg though, that really simplifies things, doesn't it? But hey, no one likes complicated issues, right? Maybe there's something good and perverted on TV you can watch to take your mind off of it...

Aaron, Phoenix, Arizona

It's too late. It was too late years ago. The guns are in circulation and they can't be removed. Even if US politicians had the guts to campaign for the banning of guns.

In America, it now seems to be a horrible and undeniable truth, that anybody, with any twisted and petty grievance, can gun you down in the street just because you're in the way. It's true, that can happen anywhere in the world. But in America the chances are that much greater. That sucks.

RJA, Nottingham, UK.

What is it with people thinking they know just for guessing?

That's half the problem.

simon, Oxford, UK

There should be a complete news blackout on anybody who commits a crime in order to "be famous". Maybe then the next unhappy youngsters would find some other way out of their problems.

Rosemary Roberts, Germany,

Interesting to read the two very different reactions of "this wouldn't have happened if guns were illegal in the USA" versus "this wouldn't have happened if more guns were in circulation in the USA".

Unfortunately, neither of these arguments are sufficiently detailed or thought out. Gun ownership is a very complex subject in the USA and people in other countries are too quick to stand in judgement off the back of either general anti-US sentiment or else a lack of detailed appreciation of the huge scope of the subject.

More guns or less, the key to safety in the meantime is to promote responsible ownership, not just ownership. Education is key to this. NRA-bashers please note - without the NRA you'd have significantly less education and training, and consequently a higher propensity for future horrors such as this.

As for the offender in this case, what a coward's way out. The issue is the troubled individual and his (lack of) treatment and support, not the gun.

Paul, London / Houston,

I demand am Abrahams tank to defend my family

James, London,

What are you trying to say neil? That there is a link between having a gun, and shooting someone with that gun, and not having a gun, and not shooting someone.

Bloody Communist!

Nathan, Bristol, UK

what i find most alarming in my country (the usa) in regards to gun control? the fact that anyone can walk into a walmart store and buy a rifle/shotgun! hand guns there is some type of background check done and it can take a few days, if purchased through a retail store. im not proguns

i live in omaha, and of course this kids name is on everyones lips. naturally its news, and reporters do love to talk and talk, even when there is nothing new to report. thats certainly how it was with the local media. i find it irritating and sad they go one and on. i dont think it helps the families grief at all. i feel bad for that poor troubled kid, and so very sorry for the victims, and lives he has touched.

i agree, without that gun, he wouldnt have been able to carry out his plan. he obviously needed more mental health care than he received. but of course over here we do not have national health care, so perhaps therapy and meds were out of his price range, as a mcdonalds employee.

todd, omaha, usa/nebraska

I agree with Allen on this subject. Plus, it is a great method of population control. The world is over populated as-is. Maybe we should resort back to public stake burnings and start taking in all of the foreign refugees we get per week from your countries. There must be a great reason we gain nearly 100 Europeans per month... Can you explain this?

Anonymous, North, USA

Why is that everbody outside the US can tell what the problem is but in the US are too willing to blame it on a failing society. Its gun, stupid - the English Royal family aren't really wanting to invade. How many more lives will be lost before this ridiculous law is overturned - I am sad to say that I think it will be hundreds - if ot thousands - more.

muzzler, Berwick,

Neil Tipping from Leicestershire - I couldn't agree more with your post.

There was a story on here the other day about teenagers in the UK and the trouble they cause and an american was saying that they don't have the violent behaviour from teenagers in his country because no-ones hands (the authorities or the people) are tied when dealing with them. Ironic really.

The most people killed in one of these high school massacres by one of these many and ever increasing american teenagers was 32. If I was american i'd be hanging my head in shame and demanding that my government do something about the availability of guns.

Kim, London,

You all should be ashamed at directing blame on guns when our societies fail to make people responsible for their own actions. You mistakenly place blind trust in governments to protect you and nurse you through your miserable empty lives while you stay medicated from your shrinks and worship the TV. You dare render judgement on others while you fail to see your own responsiblity in this? This is the society of luxury and freedom from responsiblity that you so desired. You are nothing more than "slaves" who gave up freedom for an illusion of security... you deserve neither.

Allen , Spokane, WA

Each one of us bears responsibility for each others' sins.

FMD, London, UK

What did this kid want? Fame. And what are you giving him now? More fame... Surely this would just encourage more kids who want their 15 minutes of fame. Why don't all media agencies agree not to report the kids name, then no one will become famous from being a stupid coward.

Andrew, London,

I think the whole 'famous' comment in the letter has been completely overstated by the media, and is more than likely just a throwaway comment from this kid...who obviously had problems. The notion that he did this to 'become famous' is ridiculous.

jamie, london,

It would be specious to say that Americans are more prone to such actions than the British but please, if you will, contrast two situations - a similar troubled teenager in Britain may come to the same crisis level and feel the need to do the same thing. All he lacks is the means. He has time to consider the matter more fully and the crisis passes and he (and his intended victims) live another day. Contrast that with Robert Hawkins who reaches crisis point and finds easy access to an arsenal. No pause for thought, no sanity check, no time to calm down. There is no doubt in my mind that the lack of availability of guns in the UK is the only differentiating factor. Perhaps it's too late for America to rid itself of its gun culture but I hope to God that we never get to the same level of casual acceptance of firearms in the UK. Otherwise we will suffer the same tragedies.

Neil Tipping, Leicestershire, UK

Hey, out of the people killed, how many had children? How many of those children will now grow up and be affected by their chidhood trauma. How many will get over it and live productive lives? Snipers hiding in the boots of cars, socially stunted school kids that, because they were laughed at when they were six decide to mow down their class mates. This seems to becoming a fashion statement. America wants to look into its own back yard and sort out its own peoples sad existences before jumping the wall and kicking next doors dog. Sort out your own inadequecies you sad sad has beens

steve, Newcastle, UK

Guns are banned in the UK but we still have shootings and massacres - one horrific one I remember involved a man with a machete in a school. The fact is, if someone wants to kill people, they will find a way to do it. The way to prevent things like this happening is to take away the notoriety of people who commit such crimes. We should stop glorifying them in the media - keep them anonymous and focus on the victims instead. Hawkins did this terrible thing because he wanted to be famous and now people from all over the world know his name. Let's stop making them famous.

Emma, Southampton, UK

Im beginning to think that perhaps logic isn't the american thing, many here have said "if everybody had a gun these things wouldn't happen". And maby it wouldn't, however, how can you not realise that accidental deaths would rise sky high aswell as people shooting each other in a fit of anger that could easily have been avoided if the shooter only had a while to cool off? And what a fun country to live in, going around being terrified to do the smallest thing that might set someone of and in the spure of the moment pull out his/her gun. What a wonderful world.

Mattias, Norrkoping, Sweden

How many innocent people have to die this way before the U.S. government decides to review their policy on firearms....
I can´t believe Mrs Maruca-Kovac "thought nothing" of her kids showing off a firearm to her the night before the shooting...
Do you think it´s normal for your kids to be carrying firearms???

Grant, Madrid,

A soul destroying job, sacked without recourse to appeal over a triviality, punished for obtaining alcohol yet being old enough to vote and -- these are the obscenities -- having easy access to guns and a sense that mass killing and suicide are ways to achieve respect. Robert Hawkins should not stand condemned alone: the entire, brute society that moulded him should be equally critiicised.

Andrew Masterson, Glenlyon, Victoria, Australia

Although it's been said several times, my heart goes out to the victims and their families.

And although what had happened is a tragedy, let us not forget that there are more innocent lives being taken overseas.
I hate this country.
It disgusts me that I am living and breathing on deceitful soil. May I be granted the strength and MEANS to get out of this place because honestly, I can't stand living in a country built on so many lies and injustices.

This Being, San Jose, CA,

Sure, in Britain we have terrorists with bombs and drug dealers with guns. But we very rarely have incidents like Columbine or this one. Why? Gun control! Back in the 80s there was a similar case where a teenager with a Kalashnikov killed lots of people - "the Hungerford massacre". The government changed a loophole in the law that allowed him to get the gun.

In Britain, getting a gun is like getting heroine - not impossible but most people wouldn't know where to look. In the US, it's seems more like buying a pack of cigarettes.

Maybe Americans think the occasional Columbine is a price worth paying for the right to gun ownership. Maybe there are so many guns around, it's too late to do anything about it. But don't kid yourself that this kind of incident has nothing to do with the availability of guns.

Mike, London,

Liz - would it have happened if he didn't have access to firearms?

Robert, ipswich, Suffolk

My name is Keith and I was friends with him. He was very troubled at times, I could always tell. But for the most part he was just an average teenager. We met in Jr. High in the 8th grade. He was pretty normal then. This is just so unbelievable that someone so shy and quiet can do something so evil and rather pathetic. I feel sorry for all the families that are involved.

Keith, Omaha, Nebraska

you forget that the second amendment is for us as citizens to bear arms against our own government- you forget to look carefully at the amendment- he was an adult- he knew what he was doing- to say that it happened or was possible because he had access to firearms is too much a generalization on your part

Liz, heath, ohio

Now is not the time for blame, it's time for prayer for all the families involved.

Brenda P, Swift Current, saskatchewan

I think everyone has the right to bare arms, but if it was obvious for a long time that he was depressed I would of used common sence and had the firearms locked securely away. How tragic and my heart goes out to the familys and friends of the victims and Robert.

angela, hollywood, ct

You don't think something like this will happen when you're just out shopping with your family. My heart goes out to everyone involved in this terrible tragedy.

Erica, Easton, MD, USA

I have been through unspeakable tragedies throughout my life, and had a hard childhood (and teenage years, AND adulthood), but I never took a gun, and went out and killed innocent people, and took my own life. It's sad he had problems, but to defend someone, and say it's alright that he killed so many people, and "went out in style" is absurd and twisted.

Jay, NYC, USA/NY

This comment is directed towards Shay.. so what if u knew him, obviously he was a person. . a troubled one at that. .And he was depressed. .that doesn't give him the right to play "God" by taking innocent people's life's. . You wouldn't say "...I'm sorry for the family's of the people that died God gives people to die it was their time..." If it was one of your family members. . .

don, Killer hills, NY

I think he was hurting really bad inside and if someone would v'e have taken the time to help him as a child what happenend could have been prevented. a person doesn't get in that condition over night it's something that builds up thats why these days wev'e been losing alot of youths.

Lucy, Salem, MA

And to Martha of Canada (which NEVER HAS SHOOTINGS) If anyone at that mall had a firearm and was trained to use it, some if not all of this bloodshed would have been avoided.

J Galt, San Luis Obispo, Ca

Is this not a reflection of how society as a whole is at fault and does not serve the individual.And mayby there would not have been any loss of life.

Ian, Cork, Ireland

The state of Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services said today in a news conference that while Mr. Hawkins had been in their care for approximately 5 years they were satisfied with the care and treatment that this young man received. So confident with it that they all voted him out of the system. But was he really "cured"? They thought so. Eighteen months ago they voted him out of the system. In Nebraska they are usually in the system until they are 19. Clearly they made a mistake. If they were to have voted to keep him in the system this might not have happened. He would have been treated longer and might have been able to work out his emotional problems in a more productive manner than he did. He might have aquired the skill to do that had he had more "treatment". I realize that it is expensive to treat but wouldn't it have been worth it rather than to have lost those 8 innocent lives? My prayers are with those families who lost someone or who was injured. God bless you al

Bean, Dunlap, IA

it said he got the AK-47 that he used from stepfather's house.
perhaps it's time to think about prosecuting the parents or guardians of these juveniles in cases where adult neglect is partly to blame.

ismaell, baltimre,

I feel that having this stuff on the news is okay. FIRST- this is NOT the presidents fault or the United States...it was a very messed up young man's. And he would have found someway to kill these people easily even without a gun, say a knife? He would have done it! Also putting the killer on the news is just ridiculous. any one these days can walk in somewhere with a gun and is now considered "famous". Something about this needs changed. Not everyone should have their "Columbine Moment." But-yes. The killer should not be all over the news. It should only be there in case people want to know and can find it online like this site. Thanks for listening to my concerns.

Larissa Stogdill, Council Bluffs, Iowa

people that feel the need to blame America and it's constitution, get a life. Or better yet mind your own problems.

a selfish, low life murders women in a mall and it's the American peoples fault?

this idiot had the same problems and access to help that thousands of others have,most don't become sick, cowardly murderers!

gw, new hope, us

How can Gwen say he would have used something else to kill those people? Like what???! A knife?? It is only the gun that allows such quick killing. If you remove the gun, then you would not have these types of killing. They only ever involve guns.

Andy, London, UK

This is a sad story all around...my heart is broken for the victims and their families. Such a senseless loss. I also feel sorry for the teen-- ADD/depression are very real illnesses, and it sounds like he didn't get the treatment or love he needed. That's no excuse for what he did. But lessons here-- let's help teens with ADD and depression, not throw them out of homes of the school system. And let's get some kind of registration for guns.

mark glfr, Columbia, SC

Guns don't kill people. People kill people. This was a troubled young man. We need to find ways to reach these young people at an earlier age. We need to make an effort to let young people know that they are valued. It does take a village to raise a child. Volunteer to be a mentor, support after school programs, know what is going on in your neighborhood, recognize bullying behaviors and do your part to stop it. Better yet , prevent it. If everyone does their part, we can prevent these kinds of tragedies.

g diehl, Allentown, USA/PA

You lot over there have got to look at banning guns? This is happening every other week. OK so you can get hold of a gun illegally. But he didnt! So it wouldnt have happened!

J, Wales, UIK

shay, you worry me....get some help honey.

jj, springfield, us

Another psychotropic drugged ADHD kid, gone awry and shooting first others, and then himself. When will psychiatry take a little responsibility?

Terryeo, San Francisco, CA

What is happening in the USA is a modern day plague or holocaust, akin to what happened in Egypt during ancient times. This will continue until the day when the US government will finally decide to amend its constitution on its citizen's rights to bear arms. No matter how much education or how educated an arms-bearer may be, there are instances when the bearer will go berserk or somehow feel the power of God in his hands. It is happening in other countries that makes gun easy to acquire, but not as famous as the US.

Hu Chou Tan, Hsinchu, Taiwan

Dennis, Charloette, Mi,

great words of wisdom. I hope at least a few people take heed of what you wrote. Very well put.

Lou

Louise, Leeds,

Timothy McVeigh didn't have a gun. The 911 Hijackers didn't have a gun. The London Train bombers didn't have a gun.

They killed a lot more people in a single moment than a gun ever has. I'm used to hearing about this sort of thing, doesn't even phase me a bit anymore. Plus, it's just 9 people. Big deal.

How many people get killed in Iraq everyday?

I know if I was in a mall and someone started shooting I would focus on taking out the shooter, not dying with bullet in my back. I've always thought it's not that you live or die, it's how you live and how you die that really matters.

Steve, Saint Louis, MO

Here's to shay from omaha. I too am from the omaha area. I live in Bellevue. For you to say he isn't a killer that he is a person is completly wrong. What if it was your family in that mall? What if it was your family or child that was shot yesterday? Would he still be a person? Was it just God saying it's their time?? NO! You'd be calling him a killer too! I am sorry but for you to say that we should side with him....that's ignorant and outrageous! He took others lives for NO REASON! If he wanted to die, then fine, kill yourself and only yourself. There was and still is NO excuse for what he did yesterday.

We see it on the news all the time, things like this happening everywhere and nobody thought it would happen here. Please don't ever think it can't happen where you are because it can. This was a tragedy to Omaha and many family's here. My heart goes out to all of you, injured or not. I know how freightening it must have been. God bless all of you!

Erin, Bellevue, NE

the issue has less to do with guns than with the media sensationalizing past spree killers. He wanted to be famous. He knew that killing people makes great headlines. The media has granted him his wish

Keith Rose, dayton ohio,

It's somewhat bemusing to read a few of the naive comments from the UK and Australia. "If only the US had gun control, this would never happen." The sad fact is that even in those countries mass shootings have occurred. Do I think some form of gun control shoudl exist int he US? Of course, and it does. Enforcment of existing laws is what is needed. What no one is saying is that this runs much deeper than guns. If this young man had a decent family structure, would this have happened? There are far-reaching societal issues at the root of this and most other such incidents, be they drugs - and face it, all of you, many countries are riddled with this scourge and it affects you, too - mental health, religion, the faltering nuclear family....the list goes on. This incident is a SYMPTOM of all that, and those issues must be addressed. I say to you that if this man had not had a gun, he would used an automobile or some other weapon to lash out in anger at the society that had failed him.

Jack, kansas city, USA

Good Comment Burnett !
God bless all the souls... peace.........

G, chicago, IL

Wow, how can you be so quick to blame firearms in the U.S.? Let's think more about how these events come to happen, and how a person can turn into such a madman.

Greg, Cincinnati, OH

Look, there are 300 million people that live in this country. There is no other country on earth that has this many First World citizens. Yes, we all have access to education and health care. Of course if there is no support system for the sick individual then that person can slip through the cracks. How many people that aren't right in the head go get help on their own? None. It's impossible to take care of everyone. It's not the governments fault. The problem is the access to firearms. It's too easy. The right to bare arms is a flawed concept today. It made sense back when the government was new and all they had were simple single shot guns. Now the military has Jets, Tanks, missles, nukes, laser guided smart bombs, chemicals... I don't care if each man, woman and child has 10 guns each, it won't make a single dent in the might of the military. Wake up! The power of the government has far outgrown any chance of control by force by the people. Get rid of the guns!

Wake up and smell the blood, EveryTown, USA

My heart and prayers go out to the families, friends and everyone who has been personally affected by this awful killing spree. One can only imagine what they are going through. One would have to imagine it as their worst nightmare. These poor people are having to relive this every time the hear the news. What could the media possibly have to report? There isn't any one to bring to justice. They shouldn't have anything left to investigate. They know who did it. There isn't anything that anyone can do about it. He took that right away from us when he took his own life. And what are we doing? We are giving him what he wanted, making him famous in the worst possible way-through the media.
We need to focus the attention on the ones who lost their lives and their families. We need to make them famous. There should be media pouring over their lives and what made them so special to their loved ones. remember the ones who lost their lives should be everyones focus,not the one who did this

Jean, Woodbine, IA

When the shooter was a ward of the state, he received more than $250,000 in care which included in-patient mental health treatment and antidepressants. I realize that these shootings present a great opportunity for people to harp about mental healthcare access or US gun laws, or to question the goodwill and competence of his family and friends. I don't have a dog in that particular fight, but I want to say one thing: a person who is really determined to kill himself won't be put off by the limits of the law or the desires of others. We can't pass a law or prescribe a drug and change what's in a man's heart. The will to die was probably the only thing Hawkins had in his own hands. We can put up so many safety fences that will save a lot of desperate people, but there are some who are unreachable. They don't "fall through the safety net" so much as barrel down the mountain on their own grim momentum. We want to think everyone can be saved with the right intervention, but it isn't so.

Hallie, Louisville, KY, USA

The media certainly has a huge influence on young people. The killer from Virginia Tech became famous over night after sending a package containing information about himself with sick photos to CNN. As soon as the package was received, CNN didn't hesitate to give him what he wanted. His face appeared all over the television and internet. Why is youtube a multibillion dollar website? Everybody, especially teenagers, want to be famous. It's the obsession of our American youth. The sad fact of it is, these sick killers do become famous. The news should be more focused on honoring those who have suffered and died, and shouldn't waste time with those that have caused the pain and suffering.

Brandon Pieper, Lincoln , Nebraska

How many more lives must be destroyed before adolescent alcoholic/addicts are treated for their addictions rather than ADD/ADHD, Bi-Polar diagnoses which not only circumvent but often exacerbate the primary problem?

Dave Grannis, Mahopac, USA/New York

I got a better idea White Muslim, how about war on Charlton Heston & his "cold dead hand" people, how bout it?

Jim Hudspith, Akron, Ohio

In countries where owning guns are illegal, there wasn't any incidents of people shooting the innocents in schools and malls. Guns in America is too easily accessible. Wake up America! How many accidents are there versus self defence when using guns?

jsmnleona, New York, NY

people need to stop talking about the gunman because we are giving him exactly what he wanted, "to be famous." discuss the incident and the victims, but please stop saying his name; a person like this does not deserve to be remembered, he was worthless. it's not an issue of the second amendment (whether you agree with it or not) the real issue is how did the gunman smuggle an assault rifle into a mall? mall security saw him coming in, but did they do anything? no. not to mention the fact that it is perfectly legal for people to carry concealed weapons in the state of nebraska thanks to the idiot politicians we have elected. there are clearly many levels of this problem that our society has gotten itself into and it is going to take a lot of time and effort to get us out of it. time and effort that people aren't willing to take. we need to focus on bullying in school because that's where it all starts; parents need to be there for their children, not kick them out at 14 years old.

Molly, Lincoln, Nebraska

If you research the history of people involved in these shooting or most violent crimes you will see most have serious mental health issues who did not have adequate treatment or no treatment at all. In addition, many of these people leave of trail of red flags that indicate serious problems like Virgina Tech killer.

Lance, Phx, AZ

Um ok? If guns were illegal then there would be less shootings. In Australia we have very tight restrictions on gun ownership, and we haven't had a mass shooting in ages. Very few people die from guns every year, while in America there have been several mass killings only this year! Figure it out, if you ban guns, criminals will be unable to get them as well. As for that fake idea: "if we had more guns someone would have been able to gun him down", he wouldn't have had a gun in the first place had they been illegal. The death toll would have been a big fat 0! Guns give people power to kill, and a lot of people cannot handle tha power properly.

Ollie, Melbourne, Australia

To even think that a semi-automatic assault weapon (banned under the Clinton admin and then the Bush people just plum forgot to renew the law, Oh darn it! ) was available to a normal young man not old enough to drink (19?) (remember thats the average age of troops in Viet Nam), is just beyond belief . The chance of a normal citizen getting hold of an AK 47 in the UK is virtually nil and thus we have a very small number of shootings . We have not got the right to bare arms and some how we manage to survive and prosper.

Richard Van-de-Velde, Grays, UK

My heart reaches out to the victims of this horrible crime. I also find myself saddened that some people try to use the actions of a lunatic to further their misguided quest to strip us of our fundamental right to keep and bear arms. As a law-abiding citizen and a concealed carry permit holder, I know that if I was in that mall on that day, I would be thankful that I had my concealed handgun to defend myself and innocent bystanders from this lunatic's killing spree. Indeed, it would have only taken one person with a concealed handgun to stop this murderer before he could kill more. If more people carried guns, we would be able to stop crimes like this. If guns were outlawed, criminals would simply ignore the laws and still use guns, but then no one would be able to stop them. Even without a gun, someone like this could kill a lot more people as a suicide bomber or behind the wheel of an automobile. We cannot let the government take away our fundamental right to self defense.

Scott, Houston, Texas, USA

Well thanks to the media he has become famous. The media should concentrate on the victims and there families and not even bother putting a picture or a name to this sick person, i don't want to know him. God bless the people that died and their families

joanne medeiros, pembroke , Bermuda

ADHD and depression in a homicidal teenager? Maybe its time the US Federal Government and the FDA finally started to look at the link between these psycological illnesses and the link with the artificial sweetner called "aspartane" manufactured by a well known chemical manufacturer. Apparently the dangers of this additive are well documented,including its link to ADHD etc. But it appears that conflicts of interest are keeping this insidious chemical in our food and beverages.
I wonder if the Members of the board of this manufacturer would please explain why is it still used as an artifical sweetner,albeit dangerous as it is and,if it is safe, would they volunteer to drink a can of "diet drink" a day for six months and let their mental health be monitored, all in the spirit of honesty and morality of business ethics of course!?

Look at the link, Eltham, New Zealand

What troubles me is that everyone seemed to know he was depressed and yet nobody got him the help he needed. I don't understand why the nurse allowed him to reside with him knowing he was doing drugs and that he was depressed, but didn't try to be a parent to him. I also think this shows that maybe we shouldn't have the right to bare arms. What good does it do us when kids are taking their parent's guns and killing others without rightful cause.

Ciara, Kahului, Hawaii

So, because there is less than a half of a percent of this country that uses their Second Amendment right for a negative purpose we're supposed to sack it? Just what we need-our rights to be changed so law-abiding people can;t obtain a weapon, and that less than half of a percent can get a hold of weapons illegally (just like the drugs he was taking) to do their bidding.

The sad truth is people like this do exist, and the only thing we can do abo