Typical day for most families-
Get up drink quart of coffee.
watch TV to get weather report and find our how your neighbors are.
commute two hours to go to work, leave before kids wake up.
commute two hours home, stop and get fast food for dinner, wonder where the kids are.
watch TV, eat lots of extra empty calories
go to bed

Kids or no kids that's the schedule. If parents aren't hooked into their child's emotional needs how can we expect anyone else to be.

D. Stahlberg, San Francisco, CAlifornia, USA

I'm only 20 years of age but I have NO idea what is going on with those younger and in some cases the same age as myself and a little older. The world is turning into a violent and revolting place because of the individuals who feel that they have to take out the psychological hang-ups out on those around them. Being bullied in school is SUCH an over used and over rated excuse these days. I was bullied in school yet I don't go around shooting people. I am disgusted and appalled that these things are happening. Where is the discipline, basic common sense and compassion today? I have not found much in the voice of the general youth.

Keri, Swansea,

Rob in Raleigh is partially correct in that we need to better recognize the warning signs. The warning signs are taking God out of our schools which has introduced a new breed of mentality. That's all there is to recognize in a general way of understanding that a basic principle of doing to others as we would have done to ourselves is abrogated by today's educational systems. Put the principles of christianity back into schools and teach them to your children. You don't have to preach to them to be christian but the fundemental principles of how to treat one another can be found a book called the Bible, more specifically the new testement of the Bible.
Guns are not the problem, just as clubs, sticks, bats, stones, arrows or knives are never the problem. It's how those who weld them are taught. The problem is what is not being taught or rather what's been forcably removed from education which is to treat one another with the love and respect with which we all want to be treated.

J, Dallas, TX

My heart goes out to the families and friends of everyone involved. Not that it matters, but some of my fiance's family is from Finland...I'm sure they are even more shocked and saddened by this event than I am, as they have seen first-hand how peaceful a place Finland is.

When trying to decide what or whom to blame after events such as this (or stated more productively, "how to fix the problem"), people need to keep a very open mind. I've long been a advocate of tighter gun control laws but that wouldn't solve the entire problem. While it would be impossible to ensure the happiness of everyone--especially teenagers--further work needs to be done towards understanding the needs of these children and recognizing the warning signs.

Rob, Raleigh, North Carolina, US

I just want to know this. Why are young people so angry and hateful? That is the golden question. Is it TV, video games, parents, or our government?

Amy, Harrisburg, USA/Pennsylvania

We no longer value our youth as in previous generations, and this is the result. Brent Taylor, above , summed it up nicely.

Phil, Reeda, CA, USA

How blatantly anti-US can you be? "US-style" High School shooting? Hungerford went down in 1987 --- may be we should call it a UK style killing rampage that has morphed across the globe.

Lymies.

Ljudivet Gaj, Zagreb, Croatia

"This young man reflects the evolution that he has been taught--that humans are nothing but advanced animals. Therefore humanity is overrated and he can logically pick a few off. This is what happens when God is ignored by the world."

The god who wiped out the world with a flood, said he's gonna come back to kill the rest off, has eternal suffering waiting for those who don't agree with him and kills the firstborn of families to make a point? That god? Yes, these tales surely fill us all with hope for the future and make sure any thoughts of murder quickly leave because god already killed every poor sod.

Or more likely he suffered from a mental illness, wasn't treated and various cries for help went unheeded before finally exploding.

Marc, London, England

people are doing wrong things more and more , beacause they are notr aware of the moral and ethical aspects , they should go back to religion, religious families usually raise their children properly, and such incidents make us feel sorry.

Dr.Osama Al-Faouri, leeds, UK

"Why do people need anything other than shotguns (for shooting birds) or a single shot rifle (for shooting deer or whatever). Why would anyone need a handgun unless it is a historical hangover intended as a deterent against invaders to have the whole population armed ?"

Ask a holocaust survivor that question.

Jack, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

This is what happens when life becomes cheap. It isn't limited to any country or gun law.

This entire world has lost its sense of community. You can talk to somebody on a screen half a world away and not know your next door neighbor. Some troubled, depressed kid goes into a shell and nobody even bothers to notice because we adults are much too busy caught up in life.

Parents, teachers, or adult neighbors many times no longer provide the safety net for a troubled kid. The kid reverts to music and video games, murderous movies and crap TV for comfort. And then we're shocked when the final bloody result makes no sense. We shouldn't be.

Brent Taylor, Tulsa, USA

i hope they don't start blaming kmfdm. this guy obviously had issues.

kim, raleigh,

Tim D
"One final thing, guns are illegal in the UK and have been for a while now. I wonder why?"

The same reason they passed the terroism act, the same reason why the US has its patriot act, the same reason why they want us to have ID cards and be electronically tagged - social control.

George, Salisbury, England

I believe the Swiss are required to keep a weapon in their homes for self-defense purposes and their crime rates are very low. Ever heard the term "shooting fish in a barrel"? That's what gun-free zones are. When people are educated and equipped to respond in self-defense, kill zones cease to exist. This deluded young man wanted his 15 minutes of fame and many others paid the price. The gun was merely the tool he used to get it.

My sympathies and prayers are with the families of all involved.

M. C. Byrkett, Houston, Texas

To Tim D, York, England and those of similar mind:
Guns don't kill, people do. You were correct regarding the timely need to confront the real issue such as social behaviour. Society globally has grown soft when it comes to jail time for those who commit crimes. In the U.S. we glamorize crime, criminals andeven our celebrities become heroes when they break the law and act socially inapropriately. Combine that type of media message along with our youth having more freedom and liberties than ever before, teacher's unable to discipline, and parent's that feel disciplining interferes with their child's individuality, creativity and liberties and what do we expect ????

LJoy, lancaster, PA

This is not about guns, religion or some -ism.

The young lad was filled with anger. He was let down and alone too many times. He didn't find peers in real life or they cast him out for some reason.

He filled hatred, because it was easiest thing to some vibes. Internet was medium to find some way to express him.

He wanted attention. Desperate thing circling his head and enough courage to do it after years of building anxiety in the dark.

This kind of things will happend in other countries as well. It is just matter of time. Anger will build and explode in some form as there is no-one to talk, except internet's virtual people.

Timoam, perkele, Finland

I agree that it's a bit of a low blow to label it a "US-style massacre". If this tragedy demonstrates anything, it's that these sort of terrible events can happen just about anywhere. And to all the Fins who caution the world not to judge your people on the actions of this disturbed young man, how do you think Americans feel?...

Mike, Washington DC,

I think the major reason for this that people mainly feel bad is that u are raised to see two different worlds.At school you get idealistic and pretty picture fullfilled with all good morals, values etc..but what then when person grows up and tragically founds out that world doesnt work according those fancy idees...?When marketing forces are running selfisnes etc..are ruling either among normal people but even in idealistic movements..either religion.Example how many of religious people really care another person..no they should be members of that peticular movement to get some help..then movements have their buildings etc administration..etc..people have really forget the true and real meaning of life aswell the teachings either ideologies they still try desperately follow.
Cause of drug companies and their ways people also feel bad general view seems to be that dr are treating symptoms(more drugs more profit) ..not trying to figure out the reason..same goes to governements globally

Masha, Joensuu, Finland

With mention of bullying, yet the dead were seemingly random victims of his shooting, how worried should parents be about their childrens actions if they haven't brought them up correctly?

I mean the children who bully, whose parents encourage them to do so to gain social status which will be beneficial to their kids future within the education system and beyond. I've seen incident after incident, even seen a parent give their 6 year old a knife to take to school to deal with a bully.

Society is crumbling, it may sound a bit early yet, but commonsense preventive action now needs to be taken at all our schools I'm not talking about unclimbable fences and metal detectors, but better education in social behaviour, eradicating bullying, having real expulsion punishments for those who break the system.Maybe even instant jail orders in youth institutions for children who assault teachers.

One final thing, guns are illegal in the UK and have been for a while now. I wonder why?

Tim D, York, England

The boy had read Nietzsche.
His readings of NIetzsche made him psychotic.
If you investigate his YouTube site you will see that he absorbed Nietzsche's ideas about the Overman, and the morality of Masters and Slaves (from the Genealogy of Morals). He also was very enthusiastic about Plato's idea of the Philosopher. He loved the "Republic."

Lariviere, France,

To Tom Magal, Please don't oversimplify the matter by saying that having a possibility to have a handgun means that one feels the need to use it to kill people.

Kimmo, Bath, England

As a Finnish-American, I was sadden by this news. I have nothing more to say. Very sad.

Dan, Detroit, USA

In Finland, if you are a member of an official sports shooting club, over 18 years of age, and have no criminal record, you will be able to get a license for a small calibre (.22) gun. Gun related crime in Finland is among the lowest in Europe. Maybe because the number of unlicensed guns in Finland is very low? The Tuusula tragedy is more about a lost young man than guns. If he hadn't got a gun, he could have googled how to make a bomb instead.

Mikael, Espoo, Finland

Just to clear things a bit:
Finland is known for its nature and many people get guns for hunting.
This boy's hobby was target shooting, so he got the licence for that.

I'm not saying it isn't made too easy to get guns. But in Finland you need a reason to have the gun and obviously this boy had one.

I cannot imagine how the victime's families must feel right now.
God bless you.

JN, Espoo, Finland

Guns don´t kill people - people who pull the trigger do. He was one sick kid, what he did was unforgiveful, but it´s no use to blame the incident on the guns or anything else - the reason for the tragedy went to the grave with him and will remain unknown to the rest of us.

Pirre, Kannonkoski, Finland

I'd like to point out that according to report in the Finnish media the shooter only got the permit for the gun as he had a reference from a shooting club he was a member of. And to receive a gun permit you have to have either a hunting license (when applying for hunting weapons) or be a member of a shooting club (when applying for other weapons like pistols).

Mikko Laine, Helsinki, Finland

This young man reflects the evolution that he has been taught--that humans are nothing but advanced animals. Therefore humanity is overrated and he can logically pick a few off. This is what happens when God is ignored by the world.

Dustin, Greenville, SC, USA

Tom Magal commented: "Just to recap, the Finnish authorities grant an 18 year old student a licence to own a handgun and no one asks why, then people all over the world are surprised when he uses it."

That's not quite right, shooting at shooting range was his hobby. You need a reason to own a handgun here.

Antti, Mäntsälä, Finland

The most of the guns Finnish people own are for hunting, not the kind of handguns that the killer used. And definitely not the kind you keep in the bedside table drawer for "safety". But I agree that people get a licence to own a gun much too easily!

Elli, Helsinki,

This was NOT a typical finnish tragedy! We live in a peaceful and safe country normally. Yes we have darkness in winter time and yes we are only 5million here in north, BUT we are not all alcholic, depressed or isolated. Majority of us live normal happy life with the family and friends around. I think this was a global sign where we are heading from games in internet like doom or smackdown. Not healthy to anybody! The killer was not healthy, so don't make conclusions that all finns are like him!

Anmari, Lohja, Finland

"Just to recap, the Finnish authorities grant an 18 year old student a licence to own a handgun and no one asks why, then people all over the world are surprised when he uses it."

He wasn't supposed to use it on other people, was he? It was his hobby, and he was in a club or association, or whatever you want to call it.

And this was the first time anything like this has EVER happened in Finland. So I wouldn't star blaming the Finnish authorities just yet.

Nelli, Suomessa kuitenkin,

“I am prepared to fight and die for my cause.You might ask yourselves, why did I do this and what do I want. Well, most of you are too arrogant and closed-minded to understand.”

So what was his 'cause'?

Alex T, London,

In yesterday night the murderer died. So nine person died. Five shoolboys, one girl, the principal of the school and nurse and the murderer.

Kari Aarnio, Joensuu, Finland

Guns exist, legal or not... Evil exists, legal or not. People with bad intentions will get guns if they want them.

There is little laws can do about disturbed people with these intentions.

Richard Ireland, Charleston, WV USA

I think it is a very big mistake to call out the Finnish government on their gun control policies. To criticize them for giving firearm licence to those above the age of 18 seems to be placing the blame in the wrong area.

It is the illegal guns that are the easiest to get hold of. Obtaining firearms through legitimate channels is a rigorous process, where as buying an illegal gun is no harder than being introduced to the right people and handing over a few hundred pounds.

Whilst it is always tragic when legitimately owned guns are used in criminal acts, we must not forget the amount of crimes being committed with illegal weapons. We only need to look at the case of Rhys Jones to see that just because guns can be made illegal, it won't stop gun crime. If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.

As for the person that commented that 'I know nothing about guns', perhaps our society would do better to make the effort to learn and remove the fear of what many do not understand

Tim, London, UK

I live in Finland and teach at a Finnish school.. we have been all shocked and saddened by this event.. I asked today if the students thought that it was right that a student had a handgun.. the response I got was that it was for his hobby so that was ok... I asked if they thought that guns should be banned..,. and the majority said no...

I feel that guns play a major part in Finnish lifestyle, andf the banning of them will not stop this happening again.

It is very sad to say but we can not stop people from commiting these acts of aggression.. all we can do is be reactive when it happens..

The manifesto he left clearly indicates a disturbed yet seemingly in control person.. but I do wonder if the act of being able to use youtube to express your desires to kill, does not in some way make the final act of murder somewhat easier for people..

I think we need to look at control measures on Freindship sites and blogs.. we must pick up on these individuals at an earlier date.

Jim, Oulu, Finland

In Finland, you can get a legal gun when you are only 15. But then you do need a permission of your parents.

At the moment Finnish MEPs are strongly opposing the new EU law which would make it illegal for under 18s to own a gun. What are our politicians thinking? Why they want to say it's OK for children to kill?

Miia, Tampere, Finland

Quite shocking that this tragedy has occurred in the peaceful Finland. May God be with the victims and their families!

Abdel, Kuwait, Kuwait

i dont blame the individuals that do this - i think the fault lies with the societies that shape them - seems to me to be increasing in frequency, symptoms of greater problems within the world today

David Pickering, Hereford, United Kingdom

This is tragic, and such a shock that it took place in Tuusula. Finland is predominantly countryside, rather than urban areas, so there is a different appraoch towards guns (although, haven't new gun licensing laws been implemented?).

It is telling that this was a crime conducted very much in the guise of an American high school massacre. He posted in English, wore an English T-shirt, used language very similar to the recent massacres...
Looking at the cover of the times alone, this is 70 innocent children and teachers murdered in 10 years worldwide, by sucide terrorists; the aim is to cause fear and destruction before turning the gun on themselves.
Put aside the foolish comments about the scapegoats (computer, TV, film, music etc..) How can we stem this mindset? As with potentially violent religious fundamentalists, the attempt is to engage, but as yet no logical solutions have been formulated.

Thoughts go to all the families of Jokela and Tuusula

Ezra Mayo, Oxford, Oxon

Money talks! Arms business = money, Violent videogames = money, Gratuitous violence on TV = young audience = money... There are many economic interests and lots of high company executives who won't allow this business to be stopped! Disgusting!!!

Miguel Ángel, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

I'd like to correct a factual error there: the number of inhabitants of the town of Tuusula is around 35000 - nearly ten times the 5300 mentioned in the text.

SS, Espoo, Finland

As a Finn, this incident has touched me very deeply. I can't understand why the boy started shooting in a school. Pupils had done nothing wrong nor the principal. Although here in Finland you can get gun license at the age of 18, this kind of shooting is extremely rare. I wish that the murderer had stayed alive, so the police could have investigated, what was going on in his mind.
I hope that this kind of thing doesn't happen never, ever again.

Nanni Finnilä, Seinäjoki, Finland, Etelä- Pohjanmaa

Why do people need anything other than shotguns (for shooting birds) or a single shot rifle (for shooting deer or whatever). Why would anyone need a handgun unless it is a historical hangover intended as a deterent against invaders to have the whole population armed ? Same goes for all countries. Why have a gun if it is never used ? If it is for competition use then it should be modified to only fire one shot with a device for ensuring that reloading took a very long time and involved taking the gun apart to do so. Or something like that. I know nothing about guns but surely there must be people smart enough to do something about the guns to make them 'safer'.

Bob, England,

Just to recap, the Finnish authorities grant an 18 year old student a licence to own a handgun and no one asks why, then people all over the world are surprised when he uses it.

Tom Magal, London,

What a tragedy. Yet another clear example of the ridiculous world we have created for ourselves on this planet.

How can it be possible for a deranged animal like this to get a gun? My heart goes out to those poor families who have had their young taken away from them...

John Warren, Moscow, Russia

What a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims.

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

Why the hell do they give an 18 year old a licence for a gun, this is what has become after guns have become easy to get. This world has become horrendous when human life has no value as it obviously seems these days. Do Youtube not monitor its items, obviously not it seems, something like that could have been reported to local police after all, youtube could track the isp address easily.

Laurance Allen, Bodrum, Turkey

This tragedy may well combine the worst aspects of the internet and a mentally unbalanced individual, but to label it a "US-style massacre" is unwarranted and distasteful to this British-born American. The US has many faults but it did not invent mental illness nor does it advocate giving guns to maniacs.
By the way, your list of the worst campus shootings is missing one: Dunblane.

Don Kinnaird, San Rafael, Calif., US