Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio very recently expressed, publicly anyway, a general unawareness of why mass shootings continue to happen. Like most complicated matters, and this is clearly one, I think there are several contributing factors that may induce a male, often young, to become so anti-social that he kills fellow human beings.

In brief, some of the following are probably relevant: an erratic and rather unloving environment during the first crucial 18 months of life; the inability to blend in well throughout the school years, targeted by bullies; viewing violent videos, online reinforcement; being socially and parentally spoiled as little boys, growing up to be big boys yet remaining immature; cultural pressure to succeed, making a name for oneself; excessive cultural emphasis on winning, being the best, with finishing a still-lofty second being downplayed; everyday talk and posting that are judgmental, often extreme, in tone, and heightening likelihood of interactive tension and possible retaliation.

These experienced conditions may woefully compel the individual to want to harm others. His only natural weapons are his fists and mugging ability. As such, the human damage he can pull off would, thankfully, be limited and likely be thwarted by brave onlookers. His resorting to a handgun or knife can certainly maim or kill someone, but not en masse.

Mass shooting, per se, rears its ugly head when military-style weapons are deployed and then, horribly, the unfortunate stage is set for these terrible, anti-human tragedies.

It’s absolutely sorrowful.

Norm Gellatly, Auburn

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