The latest massacre in the US has opened up the debate on gun control once more. If you look at social media sites, such as Facebook, online it would seem that citizens of the US want to strengthen their constitutional right to bear arms and are not willing to surrender this at any price.

As the World as we know it slowly but surely begins to unravel wanting to protect yourself from would be enemies makes sense. Poor gun control does not. It will after all mean that your enemies will be just as well armed, if not more so, as you.

Of course listening to some Americans gun views does not mean all individuals in that country will agree. Is it simply a gun crazed minority pushing their views out online or are they really speaking for the majority? That is for you to decide. However here are some interesting statistics regarding gun deaths in the USA.

The States was built on gun toting individuals and gangs, if the tales of the Wild West are anything to go by. Back in 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was assasinated by a man carrying a gun. He has not been the last great person to die in such a way.

John F Kennedy, his brother Robert, Presidents James Garfield and William McKinle, and Martin Luther King all died at the hands of gunmen. Men who disagreed with their policies but were incapable of changing things without a gun. Cowards in other words. You can pretty it up however you like but those who carry out assinations are cowards, paid killers, fanatics and more. Terrorists in all but name.

The US is quick to point the finger at terrorists these days but cannot see it was built on such acts.

Currently many of the deaths from guns in the US are either due to crime in poor urban areas or suicides. Yes having a weapon to hand is not ideal when poeple become depressed. As we know all too well some people who become mentally unstable will take their weapons to the people and cause mayhem.

Although there have been some restrictions on gun ownership in the US it has largely failed. Differing levels of control in different States makes little sense. It can be as easy as crossing a border then, to buy what you want.

Like the UK, the US criminal fraternity buy, carry and use guns. In the US gun crime is more widespread.

The figures relating to gun suicide vary. For decades in the 20th Century the incidence of US gun suicides was high. Even so according to wikipedia, "In the United States, firearms remain the most common method of suicide, accounting for 50.7% of all suicides committed during 2006"

Wikipedia go on to claim that "Gun-related death rates in the United States are eight times higher than they are in countries that are economically and politically similar to it. Higher rates are found in developing countries and those with political instability"

The NRA, national rifle association, will fight tooth and nail to retain the US citizens "right to bear arms." After all many people stand to lose out financially if gun laws are changed. Perhaps it will all boil down to money as usual.

The media, in particular US media, is full of stories relating to the Aurora massacre. None however appear to be pushing for gun control change or a re-think. None are able to provide any answers.

Neither can we, but we know 100% that Aurora will not be the last gun massacre in the US. That stands to reason. That is unless there is a fundamental change.

In Europe madmen such as Anders Breivik will go on a killing rampage but it will happen rarely. Look at Norway's history and you will see Breivik was the first and hopefully the last gun toting lunatic in that country.

Can the US say the same of James Holmes?

Tags: US gun control, NRA, US politics, US massacre

Aurora, Colorado was officially one of the safest places to live in America. That is it was prior to Friday July 21, 2012, when James Holmes dressed as something of a Dark Knight himself, opened fire in a packed movie theatre in the town, killing at least 12 people.

As America dusts itself down once again many are questioning what went wrong. Inevitably gun control is at the forefront of some people's minds. In an election year in America this will probably be as far as gun control changes goes. Both Romney and Obama will not want to ostracise the gun toting communities of the US but now could be the perfect time to take a step back and try a re-think on gun controls.

Americans continue to cling to their right to bear arms which inevitably will lead to such mass killings. Tighter restrictions may not prevent a person on the edge wreaking havoc but it could have stopped Holmes being able to arm himself in the way that he did.

The veritable arsenal which Holmes was able to use had been acquired legally. He may not have been able to purchase all of the weapons in some States of the US but in Colorado he broke no laws. During the last 6 - 8 weeks Holmes stock piled ammunition and weapons.

When he entered the cinema which was premiering the Dark Knight Rising he was carrying two handguns, a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle. He needed no license in Colorado to purchase these weapons. In light of his previous good record he would have easily passed the police checks made.

He had purchased thousands of round of ammunition in recent weeks, without any retailer apparently batting an eyelid.

Holmes apartment is still inaccessible by authorities due to the complicated series of booby traps he had set. Police have said that a controlled explosion will be the only way to resolve that issue. The traps include chemicals so it seems that Holmes had spent a small fortune on amassing what he felt he needed.

Why is still not known.

A previous honour student who dropped out of medical school a short time ago for an unknown reason, he may fit the profile of other shooters. Mental illness could be at the root of the attack but we may never know exactly what went wrong.

Being able to buy 6,000 rounds of ammunition, weapons and chemicals without drawing any attention to yourself beggars belief.

After the event the authorities can pay lip service as much as they want to the victims of this tragedy but gun control inaction will mean that another massacre will happen in time. Surely the very least that will happen is a change in the purchasing of weapons and ammunition.

Latest: 12 people died at the scene. 11 remain in a critical possibly life threatening condition.The tragedy is the worst in American modern history.

Holmes' father has flown to Aurora. His parents have asked for privacy at what must be a shocking time for them too. Thoughts go to the victims and their loved ones.  RIP

Tags: Aurora, James Holmes, Dark Knight Rising, Colorado gun laws, gun control, NRA, US election