Virginia is one of the most gun happy states in the east, and the states where the worst shootings have occurred have tended to have the most liberal gun laws too; Texas, Colorado, Virginia. There are far more reasons than the gun laws and I am sure the forensics will delve deep into the perps' psyche and history before the dust settles on this one but it is tragic nonetheless.
The murder capitals of the U.S. (highest per capita gun homicides) are in the places where gun restrictions are the highest (where guns are banned in most cases), New York, Washington D.C., New Orleans, L.A., etc... The lowest gun death rates are in states with conceal and carry laws. It has been this way for decades and decades. To cast this as a gun-control issue before all of the facts are known and before even 24 hours has passed is wrong in my view.
Anyway, I find that these things make me more saddened and depressed than in years past. I even get struck by the Sunni vs. Shia violence in Iraq, even though some of them seem to long for a "heavenly suicide death". I find it more tragic, I think, because I am more optimistic that death and aging can be conquered. It is such a waste to see a life go down to violence like at Virginia Tech today. When young people are killed, especially in a violent manner, it just seems extra tragic nowadays. Does anyone else feel that way?