If not a gun then a car bomb or homemade grenade? Why do people do this? Sick society? Who knows but we who are willing to defend ourselves and our loved ones have that right! No one should dictate that to us no matter what political/ideological belief they have! Its reality and we must deal with it

Jack, Los Angeles, USA

It is not the means of causing death which is the problem? Whether by gun, bomb, car, hammer or sword? The problem is there are people out there who are willing to end innocent peaceful peoples lives by any means! We must defend ourselves from this no one else can or will! Its your life!

Jack, Los Angeles, USA

Americans should keep their guns. Third world countries are largely lawless and guns are rife. Since the US is already on the verge of joining the third world, their widespread gun ownership should help ease the transition. The rest of you are welcome to come up to enjoy civilization (Canada).

Roy Murray, Toronto, Canada

Are we saying knives and guns are the same, for goodness' sake? How many multiple knife killings are there?

A gun can kill instantly and at a distance, close enough to see the fear but not to smell it. A knife is a close-up killer; the victim has to be caught and stabbed, maybe several times.

Phil Williams, Shrewsbury, UK

Isn't it all about power. From the Highest levels of government to the punk on the street, the gun brings power. Instant, at your command power.
In truth, the easier you make it to kill, the more people will die.
We may say we need the guns, but first we need the right attitude.

steve, cardiff, uk

None of these mass shooters who did these killings were criminals, they all obtained their guns legally. Yes, you can kill someone with a knife, but you can kill a lot more people more easily with a gun, with a knife you have to get close to the person to stab him.

Harry, Bethesda, USA

This is a terrible crime. It truly is. And everyone is standing at the ready to point their fingers and lay the blame on someone or something. The fact is, things like this happen, have always happened and will always happen. Some people are evil. They will find a way to hurt innocent people.

Brad, Virginia, USA

How many killed - shot or knifed to death in England in a year? Not a mass murder - not one or two sick individuals, but gangs of young, sick individuals killing each other. We should all look hard at the way we live. Loneliness, drugs, mental illness, lack of moral guideness.

Jo Atherton, Nuneaton,

Having guns are no more the problem than owning kitchen knives. The abuse of firearms IS the problem. The media uses this to justify the big government agenda to take away private firearms. Is government willing take away its firearms also? Rubbish.

Michael, Fortaleza, Brazil

With that kind of hate, his objective would have been met in many ways. To say "ban all handguns and it will stop the violence" is absurd. That is like saying "stop drunk driving by banning all cars"

david, los angeles, usa

"Seth, you might consult your grandparents about guns in America...without them, you would be speaking German, or Russian, by now. Joe, Woodstock, GA, USA"

Joe, I must be missing something. Are you saying that privately held arms defeated the Germans and Russians? You don't make sense.

Glen, Boca Raton, US

Inconvenient facts for anti-gunners: 1) When seconds count, cops are minutes away. 2)Carry a gun - cops are too heavy. 3No one is as responsible for your safety as YOU are. 4) Where were other gun owners when Saari needed to be shut down? 5)Too many chickens; not enough properly equipped people.

John, Columbus, Ohio, USA

If you will notice, the shooting was at a college, a gun-free zone. He didn't go on a shooting rampage at a shooting range or at a policeman's ball. He went to a place where he knew that nobody would have a weapon. Gun control laws just make good law abiding citizens helpless.

Don, Tucson, USA

It's actually quite simple. If nobody has the hand guns, nobody needs them. In The Netherlands the rules are a bit more strict I believe, and none of such things ever happen here. It's good to hear that the Finnish government wants to do something about it.

Maxim, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

More inconvenient facts for anti-gunners: 1) get to heart of problem: outlaw wicked people. Until then, leave our firearms alone. 2)Outlaw guns, and its guaranteed that only outlaws will have guns. 3)Outlaw means of personal defense, and crime goes up. Just look at UK and Washinton D.C.

John, Columbus, Ohio, USA

So many miss the point. The point of the "Right to Bear Arms" is to keep the government in check. The citizens have to be able to rise up and fight back if need be. It is why Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Castro, etc... all banned guns as soon as they could.

Dave, Tampa, FL, USA

"Can anyone name me a country where guns are banned and crimes committed with guns do not happen? Or a country where criminals can not get guns?

Dean, Turku, Finland"

North Korea ;)

Matias, Turku, Finland

The gun will be blamed. How about the internet? How about the society that created such personal hate. If he didn't have a gun he could use a match. So how about waking up to the underlaying problem. Creating disfunctional people by creating disfunctional environments.

Eddie, Houston,

Joe, it´s a bit different to talk about military (/police) weapons than privately owned guns. There will always be (and should be) military related weapons, but private folks do not need any kind of automatic (hand)guns. There is not justification for free ownership of private handguns!

Janne, Tampere, Finland

"If we were to ban guns then only criminals would have them" Isn't this the rather obvious implication of banning anything?

Bob, Madrid, Spain

In the last ten years there have been several shooting massacres in mainland Europe, France, Italy, Germany and now Finland. All the killings were carried out using legally licensed handguns. The risk is no longer proportionate to allow for the private legal possession of handguns.

Ken, Highbury, UK

I'm surprised that the press and more people are not more interested in what is going in society that would make a young man feel so much hatred towards certain people. It is possible that he was merely insane, but this should not be assumed.

Frank Meechin , Port Sallen, Country

Its a tool we use for survival. It has fed me, protected me and won OUR freedoms But people in general are given too much credit in terms of intelligence and what is moralistically right hence the tool is abused by the ignorant and those that brand it as a social status. We still need it regardless!

David, PTC, Ga, USA

Illegal drugs and illegal firearms are just that, illegal, but both are easy to get. If you ban them, then the law abiding citizens are the ones who are at a disadvantage. Violent crimes only take seconds. The police's job is to enforce the law, and when seconds count, they are only minutes away.

Parish, Baton Rouge, USA

it's the police with guns you have to watch for over here.

Kevin, London, England

In america you need an automatic rifle to rob a bank.
In Finnand you need a .22 pistol to slaughter a school.
In Japan you just need a knife to kill people on the streets.
All any gun law does is lower the standard of what is needed, to over power the general public.

Keith Larsen, Mansfield, US of A

Strange how warped arguments become when defending the ownership of a firearm. The need to have a gun or carry a knife is one based on purely upon fear in society. I only hear scared people fighting for gun ownership. Strong people base societies on real values. Don't hide behind guns or knives.

Phillipe, Paris, France

It's quite incredible the comments being made by Americans on this board. People in FINLAND were tragically killed by a lunatic with a handgun and the focus of many of the comments left by Americans is to defend their right to have guns in America..No sympathy for the tragedy. Shame on all of you!!

steve , London, UK

Fear is one thing. Self confidence is another.

I would rather live life knowing that if some raging psycho comes after me or my loved ones, I have the means to defend us - than to rely on the good graces of others or the legal system to save me in an instantaneous struggle for survival.

Aron, Michigan, USA

"It was only 200 years ago when citizens needed guns to secure their freedom!" ONLY 200 YEARS! So that means its required today????!!!! ... and slavery?? and no votes for women?? and child labour??... etc etc... get real!

Phillipe, Paris, France

When will people learn, a gun is simply a tool, no more no less. The crime is committed by a person, so called "gun control" does nothing to stop this. As sad as it is, till we learn to change the hearts of man, nothing will stop this tragic loss of life. "Gun Control" simply disarms the innocent.

Jerry Hammond, Chilhowie, United States

'An object doesn't make a man a killer.' - correct - but it makes it very easy... since the handgun is perfectly designed to kill.

Bill Bird, Wallasey, Wirral
A knife blade is perfectly designed to kill as well.
Shall we ban everything in your kitchen drawer?

Mitchell, Charleston, USA

Banning guns has worked out real well for the UK. Now everyone just gets knifed instead.

charles, NJ, USA

"why a citizen would need a handgun in the first place"It is a citizen's last line of defense against a tyrannical government. Ask any Jew who lived in Europe in 1938 and anyone who lived in Russia. The right to bear arms is the cornerstone of freedom. This idea came from great Europeans who understood the role of the individual in a society. You Europeans have given up so many rights just so that you could taken care of by your governments.

Steven, HOUSTON, Texas

What a tragedy.

Its no wonder that in America, the places that are less safe are those that have the most restrictive gun control laws. Laws only hurt the people who actually follow them. If these students were carrying concealed, less people would have died.

Brad, Kansas City,

In a society saturated with millions of firearms, genuine 'gun control' is impossible. Guns, if used properly, can be a portable and effective way of killing relatively large numbers of people, relatively quickly. If someone wants to physically harm people, guns offer a convenient solution.

Matt, Norwich,

Senseless and tragic. How will their families recover?

The victims are not the problem. Neither is the public.

1.8 million guns in personal possession, one terrible act once a year, and you punish 1,799,999 people.

Odd.

Tim, Troy, MI

to Boriana from "dublin" - In America we have a right to keep and bear arms. It is not based upon need, but upon the principles that were used to found this country. Women don't "need" to vote, but they do - know why? Because they have the right to. Educate yourself on the principles of liberty

tim ferrell, Surry, Maine, USA

If every student was carrying a weapon, that massacre might have been cut short. But consider the consequences: every day, every student would be walking around in fear of being shot in arguments, accidents, by a spurned lover, etc. Instead of 1 or 2 massacres, everyday carnage like in the U.S.

Marcus, Rochester, USA

Of course everyone should have a gun ! The only problem is, at what age should we start? When someone becomes a teenager? They're fully mature then and able to decide when it's right to shoot! Or what about first grade? Or kindergarten? No psycho would risk facing a volley from 3-year-olds.

Phil Williams, Shrewsbury, UK

Read Helsingin Sanomat of 10.2.2008 and you can understand how the tragedy in Jokela could be copied so easily in Finland. Neither police or government have made any effort to control gun ownership although similar a shooting had happened before Jokela. Authority shirking its responsibilty kills.

Keke, Espoo, Finland

When i read some stupid comments i think that weapon sellers lobbies in the USA are certainly very powerfull to communicate to american people that people are safe with a gun...
But to allow people to have hanguns in a country is a kind of auto-suicide for the country.

marc, Paris, France

It´s funny what you american people say here.
Have you forgotten your own school shootings, for example Columbine (1999), Virginia Tech (2007)?
Again, this is not only our problem here in Finland, this is a world-wide problem. And btw,Auvinen and Saari admired these shootings which happened in US

Sari, Helsinki, Finland

1.6 million privately owned guns. 2 shooting sprees. And they say its time to evaluate private gun ownership? What a bunch of garbage.

Andy, Maryland, USA

First, my sympathies with the families touched by this trajedy. Second, I do not own a gun, but I did learn to shoot one when I was younger and I come from a family that has always owned guns for the purpose of hunting. Gun ownership is not the problem here, proper gun control is the issue.

Sherree, Wixom, USA

What the he... WWs have nothing to do with this, it's obtuse to comment on that basis. And BTW, Finland had (and still has) the most loose gun control in Europe. The problem is growing resentment amongst Finnish youngsters... Finland is sadly the most american country after the US...

Joonas, Jyväskylä, Finland

The article states he described himself as a natural selector, and he would kill those who are unfit.

Has noone looked into who he killed and what they were like? Surely isn't that really important? Why isnt that discussed in the article?

Martin, York, U.K.

If you liberal anti-gunners want to be prey for the psychos of the world then its your life go and be with God or whatever you do or dont believe in! Don't force your suicidal philosophy upon those of us who can and have the determination to defend ourselves from the reality of todays violent world!

Jack, Los Angeles, USA

"Couldn't he have driven a car through a crowd?

JT, Pocatello, ID, USA"

Like a terrorist in Israel did on the same day - who was then shot by a "passer-by" before he could kill anyone else!

JonathanL, Newcastle, UK

No a gun by itself does not guarantee safety but it can be an important tool as part of increasing personal safety? The law does not do that no matter how well implemented? I hope an angel is protecting you when someone breaks in to your house and assaults or kills you while you wait for the police?

Jack, Los Angeles, USA

In Australia (Tasmania) a large massacre took place in the mid 90's. The government immediately acted, completely restricted handguns and made it much more difficult to obtain rifles. No semi-auto's allowed either. Result: no more nasty massacres.

A.N, London, UK

"Owning a gun is not a solution to individual safety. It is the law and strict implementation of it that can ensure safety for all."

Sure pass laws and take away peoples guns. Then all the law abiding citizens will not own a gun and turn theirs in like sheep. Guess who will still own guns?

Brian, Albany NY, USA

If you look at the places with the highest rates of gun crime in America, they are precisely the places with the most restrictive gun laws. Odd...

I learned to shoot as a kid at about 8 at the YMCA summer camp, and my high school had a shooting team, but there were no massacres. Again, odd...

Dave, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

And if someone crazy pick a knife in order to kill people, it will take time and its not sure that he is going to achieve. And he can only kill or injure 1 personne because people around have the time to run.
Someone with a gun can kill 10 people in less than 5 minutes.
Guns have to be banned.

Marc, Paris, France

These attacks make me wonder are we harvesting the results of the economical depression in Finland at 1990 - 1995. At that time political leaders decided to cut resurces even from childrens school healthcare. Recources were never returned. 1 nurse/doctor once a week in many schools. ..

Susanna, Kouvola, Finland

I find it culturally fascinating that an overwhelming majority of comments from the USA seem to object strongly against gun control. It may not be "the object that makes a man a killer." I would ask, though, why a citizen would need a handgun in the first place.

Boriana Alexandrova, Dublin,

Owning a gun is not a solution to individual safety. It is the law and strict implementation of it that can ensure safety for all.

Kazi Asaduzzaman, New York, USA

Its 650 000 people in Finland who has a gun license not that 2 million what CNN tells!!!!!!
And I've never heard about that tradition of hunting is here so strong how CNN(again) tells it.
But truth is that finnish young man has very big sociality problems.

safiye, Helsinki, Finland

It is unlikely that he would equally well have used poison or a bomb if he didn't have a gun. The thing about using a gun is that you get instant gratification at looking into your victim's eyes and seeing them die. Why do you think so many people prefer to use hand guns to kill anyway ???

John , St. Louis, USA

What's with all the American gun nutters on this site? The logic and quality of their arguments are at about the level of an eight year old. Usefully though, they do show the worst aspect of a gun culture - a fascination and 'love' for these things that kill.

Mark, Munich, Germany

Seth, you might consult your grandparents about guns in America...without them, you would be speaking German, or Russian, by now. Taking guns away from law abiding citizens is not the answer...criminals don't abide by gun laws anyway.

Joe, Woodstock, GA, USA

And the police didn't bother keeping this guy under surveillance? Incredible.

Mauricio Villablanca, Los Angeles, USA

I don't own a gun and have never shot one. I'm ok with legal gun ownership and someday may own one for self defense if I feel it prudent. As far as the violent crime in America some so arrogantly like to point out you need to really look at the FBI data without PC ideological blinders.

Mike, Southlake ,

I was amazed and angry that tighter gun restrictions wasn't introduced after last years shooting. The Finnish authority should hold its head in shame. I can see no sensible reasons why automatic weapons are allowed to be held at home.

Tighten the gun law first and work on the social issues.

A Powell, Vantaa, Finland

It would be constructive to look at the possible causes for the shooting.The Helsinki Sanomat yesterday ran a report on bullying in the work place. Better research is needed about the relationships between parents and children.All to often they are left for long periods alone.Isolation is a factor.

Thomas, Helsinki,

We definitely need more gun control. Basically, forbid all semi and automatic guns, but allow non-automatic hunting rifles as we have a strong hunting tradition. Alternatively, hand guns should be allowed only in shooting club facilities, where they are kept in lockers.

Janne, Tampere, Finland

To continue, gun control is one WORKING way to decrease violent deaths. We read weekly from papers that some man have killed himself and/or his wife with hunting rifle in Finland, but these kinds of massacres would be prevented with banning of automatic/semi-automatic (hand)guns.

Janne, Tampere, Finland

And more resources should be targeted to mental health work. To comment on the right to own guns. It´s funny that individualistic ideas are supported when things go well, but governmental interference is welcomed in the time of crises, like with the bank/insurance bankruptcies in the US.

Janne, Tampere, Finland

'An object doesn't make a man a killer.' - correct - but it makes it very easy... since the handgun is perfectly designed to kill.

Bill Bird, Wallasey, Wirral

How about a little historical context:

When and why did America become such a violent, gun toting society? July 4, 1776
# of despots in US history?
# of gun toting Yanks welcomed in '18 and '42 and died?

Arrogant? Cocky? You bet. With reason.

Freedom comes with a cost. Pay it or lose it.

Doug, Freetown, USA

Yeah Jen, I will....like how you forgot to mention AU's violent crime rate, has increased above 400% of the pre ban level. The UK has had a 27% increase in in its violent crime since its 1998 gun ban. The US, save for the failed AWB, has enjoyed less gun control, an 6% decline over the same period

RJ, Nashville, America

The pro-ban comments are primarily around the idea, "if he did not have a gun, no-one would've had to die." Couldn't he have dropped rat poison in a dish? Couldn't he have driven a car through a crowd? Couldn't he have built a bomb? Come on, think! An object doesn't make a man a killer. So what did?

JT, Pocatello, ID, USA

To decrease this kinds of incidents from happening and gun ownership, including the criminals, a law can be passed that all gun owners have to hand over their arms for local police in two weeks time, after that possessing a gun would lead to a life sentence. Reporters rewarded by million dollars.

John, Shanghai,

why does that say "automatic" pistol? Semi-automatic.

mike, oc, usa

Kirk from Rotherham:
When guns are banned, only criminals will have guns. When guns are allowed, law-abiding citizens can defend themselves AGAINST these criminals, and not have to rely on the government, which can't POSSIBLY protect everyone everywhere 24/7.

Jeff, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

Notice what the first killer said: "I, as a natural selector, will eliminate all who I see unfit." Any ideas where he got that, hmm?

A belief in evolution is part (note: Part) of what lets people commit this sort of horrible crime. He thinks, "I'm more evolved, I'm permitted to do this" Hitler!

Andrian, Anchorage, USA

I'm curious about the American seemingly organised anti-gun control messages here. Pro gun lobby anyone? Australia has a VERY low rate of violent crime and we have gun control. Unlike the USA. Want to share the real facts?

Jen, Sydney, Australia

All freedoms come with the responsibility not to abuse them and danger that they will be abused. You must either be worthy of the responsibility and prepared to accept the price or lose it.

The choice is yours.

Bill Rogers, Los Angeles, USA

That pistol is a semi automatic.. not automatic My favorite argument is this:
If a plane crashes because of pilot error do you go banging on boeings door??
If a drunk driver runs into someone and kills them do you go hunting down the Ford Motor Exec's?
NO!! the problem is stupid ppl not the gun.

Zach, Boulder CO, USA

Times of crisis breed criminality and anarchy. We are in times of crisis. There was anarchy during Katrina and the riots in LA. Now we are looming on economic disaster. Civil unrest is not uncommon in the States. It is simple. My gun is in a safe until a situation warrants its removal.

Tom, des moines, US

It's ironic seeing all the pro ban gun comments from the UK. You have some of the strictest gun laws in modern society yet people are still being shot up. Prohibition never works, just makes criminals and Governments richer. You are a fool if you think we can "ban" guns. Ban machinist too I guess.

lee, Calgary, Canada

More people die in car accidents and we don't ban cars. I want the right to defend myself against attackers. Criminals will always have access to guns illegal or otherwise. British police are absolutely useless and can't defend children against teenage killers. Why can't we stand up for ourselves?

Ronald, Chiswick, England

I am amazed by some of these comments. You are seriously proposing removing all rights to private ownership? You are willing to deny rights to over 500 million people (US and Europe) due to a tiny ratio of random crimes? It was only 200 years ago when citizens needed guns to secure their freedom!

Chris, Washington, DC, USA

In retrospect, it's painfully apparent that when ownership of almost all types of firearms but almost all classes of citizen were banned, the government was able to advance its programme towards a Police State in UK. Never willingly give up your privately owned firearms; they are your last defence against tyranny.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

When Hitler came into power, one of the first things he did was to have Gun Control so ONLY his police force, NO CITIZENS could have them...How did that work out??

Don Otto, Anamosa, USA

BTW, that was a semi-automatic, not automatic weapon as is noted in the article. Not that it matters to the grieving families.
Haven't seen any mass murders in Yemen yet.

P, Charlottesville, USA

Criminals will always have guns, so everyone should have them. Concealed carry states have fewer mass shootings and, when they have them, there are fewer deaths, because the shooter has to watch his back. Guns work as security as long as there are no half-measures allowing criminals to run free.

Trevor, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.

Sam,

If it prevents me from protecting myself and my family it is not worthwhile at all. A lot of people here in the US think that the police are here to protect you, when the truth is that they only respond after a crime has been committed. I won't take that chance with the life of my family

Kevin, Richmond, VA, USA

uh, feel really badly for all involved. But look what the 'gun control' did to control this situation. Put a few more P22s out there and this fellow wouldn't have stood but a couple shots before going to meet His MAKER. IMHO.

Paul, Ostrander, United States

If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns!

Tim, Chatsworth, California, USA

We had a gunman threatening to Kill people in a library a few years ago. Thankfully an off-duty police officer was carrying a concealed pistol, and when the gunman pointed his weapon to shoot the police officer shot him.

Every off-duty officer should carry a gun to protect us against fanatics.

Dennis, American Fork, Utah, USA

If guns kill people, apparently every one of mine is defective.....

John Brown, oakville Mo., USA

This would have never happened if students with permits were allowed to be armed on campus. This type of murder only takes place in so-called 'Gun Free Zones'. They really mean that the area is free of good-guys with guns. Criminals get to kill people like fish in a barrel.

Bob Richerdson, Hartford,

Mike From Florida,

Gun bans DO make violent crime worse. That is a fact. Look at Australia and England's violent crime rate prior to and immediately after they instituted national gun bans. You must realize that bad guys don't turn in their guns when a law is passed. So only the bad guys have guns.

Steven Johnson, Minnetonka, MN,

J. Heyes (Port Neches,TX): J,old bean, Britain never had the 'largest standing army in the world" at the time of the American Revolution. In fact Britain has always had a very small army except in times of war, (for e.g. WW1 and 11) - never, ever, has had 'largest standing army'. Sorry old chap!

Kenneth Allen, Fort Collins, Colorado

Guns are common as dirt in Idaho. We don't run around shooting each other. Guns are banned in Chicago...125 killed in a month.
It's not the guns...it's the people. Bans only disarm the law abiding. There is a small number of mentally ill in every population. Don't punish everyone for their defects.

Mark, Chubbuck,Idaho, USA

Ban youtube - what good does it do?

Chandra, Seremban, Malaysia

I live in Kentucky, we have conceal-carry. Our violent crime rate has dropped dramatically since it's inception while in neighboring states it has risen. Criminals by definition don't obey laws. Gun control only handicaps law abiding citizens, and protects the biggest criminals of all government.

RobertT, Louisville, USA

• Privately owned firearms in the U.S.: 250+ million
• Gun owners in the U.S.: 70-80 million
• American households wiht firearms: Approx. 40-45%
• Number of times guns used every year for defensive purposes in the US: 2.5 million, conservatively.

The EU is full of sheep.

Mr. Jefferson, Los Angeles, USA

Mike from FL,

So what do you propose? You can't possibly be suggesting that bans will make gun and knife crime worse. And if not, then they have to be worthwhile, right? No one's expecting a catch-all solution here. Just because it doesn't stamp out crime entirely doesn't mean it's not worthwhile.

Sam Roberts, Shanghai, China

To all the non- americans posting on here - Millions of American gun owners did not kill anyone yesterday or the day before. We also have no desire to do so tomorrow unless someone threatens our lives or those of innocent defenseless people. Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have them.

Mike, tucson, USA

Paul, london, england

Was it anarchy when the oppressed citizens of your majesty took up their guns and defeated the largest standing army in the world at that time (1776) ?

j hayes, Port Neches, Texas Usa

Ban all items that people use as weapons to kill people, like guns, knives, axes, machetes, cars, trucks, planes, ice picks, razors, tanks, cannons, missiles, rockets, bricks, rocks, nail guns, bombs, hands, feet, etc. Because everyone knows that people don't kill people, "things" do.

bill bailey, Los Angeles, USA

We cannot allow guns in our society, because they provide an easy way for unbalanced individuals and for criminals to kill. When even one person dies because of the freely available guns there can be no justification to allow them. Do not get carried away by the propaganda of the gun manufacturers

Haris Demetriou, New York , Cyprus

To everyone who wants guns banned: the only way for that to happen is for the government to do it - criminalize guns and forcibly disarm the public. No government can be trusted with such power. That is the primary reason why the founders of America created the Second Amendment.

Jeff, Texas, USA

I think it should be allowed every person with no criminal past and mental decease to possess and bear guns. Moreover in gun banned areas some most responsible people should have guns to protect others in case someone like that guy would want to shoot there. If there were such persons between teachers and students they could stop him just massacring to begin.

Alexey, Moscow,

I believe that attributing acts of this nature soley to gun ownership is oversimplyfing the problem. What factors lead to such evil? What prompts an individual to resort to this level of violence? Just having a gun?If he had not had access to firearms, I feel certain he would have found another way.

Ann, Atlanta, USA

Here in Los Angeles the crime rate - especially murders - is as low as it has ever been. This is because they are putting in jail the people who do a lot of murders and not letting them out. Also they are publicizing more stories of crooks getting shot by victims who have loaded guns at the ready.

Sonya, Burbank,CA, USA

So quick you are to say that banning guns is the answer. England not only has a ban on guns but more spy cameras than people in the major cities. Not enough. Now you are trying to ban knives! What happens when you ban them and it doesn't stop? What is the next step and then next? Where are you left?

Mike, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

Mark in Baltimore wrote: "Most hunters do not hunt for their own survival anyway. Its sport."

That's wrong Mark. In Baltimore you're probably pretty uninformed about that topic. There are plenty of people in Alaska and areas of the Western US who depend upon hunting to survive.

Chris, St Louis, USA

There are few facts that need to be clarified. Finnish civilians are not allowed to carry a gun, ie. there's no concealed carry permit. Only mace/OC -permits are issued by police for personal defence.Firearms are allowed to be transported to and from shooting range and gun smith etc, nothing else.

Tero, Vantaa, Finland

Harry wrote: "The statement that "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" should be banned!"

The last time I checked it takes a person to pull the trigger of a gun. So why ban a statement that is the absolute truth?

Chris, St. Louis, USA

Did anybody see the ressemblance of the second guy to the first ? Like he'd had an idol, just the most horrific one, a murderer? Banning guns will not kill the mentally disturbed. Bienvenue to the surburbs of Paris, or Paris 19 to see the French version!

Valérie, Paris, France

Ignorance abounds concerning the gun issue mainly due to the anti gun crowd reacting with their emotions and not their minds. They quote anti gun statistics that do not exist, they appeal to peoples 'feelings' before the blood of a tragedy has not even dried and they blame the gun, not the shooter.

Smith, Chicago, USA

"... a European Union directive setting a minimum age limit on firearm ownership..."

I thought the EU only existed for economic reasons? I would fear the EU more than inanimate guns. Guns are banned in the UK, imagine how the UK citizens feel when they are shot. How did that happen? Bans don't work

Bob, Des Moines, IA, USA

To Paul in London: If you're law-abiding you've nothing to fear from your government?

I'm sure quite a few law-abiding Jews in Nazi Germany (where Der Fuhrer quickly disarmed the population as a necessary first step) might have taken exception to your point of view.

JSG

J. Stephen Garrett, Inverness, UT

Not all Americans are gun-loving crazies, ignorant of the statistics that prove accessibilty to guns is associated with more deaths. There are hundreds of laws written aound 1789 that are absurdly outdated-one can't blindly assume that an amendment written over 200 years ago is till relevant!!!

michelle, upstate, NY, US

Why would someone look for a gun if he has no intentions to use it? Guns should not be available to any member of public. When tragedies like that happen only then politicians see it as in issue. Every country can learn a lesson from America, now Finland as well.

Dainius, Varena, Lithuania

Fortunately, in Finland you do not need a gun to protect yourself or your family. So I don't really see the point why some people should be allowed to own and carry hand guns. Hopefully this will change now.

Johanna, London, UK

Can anyone name me a country where guns are banned and crimes committed with guns do not happen? Or a country where criminals can not get guns?

Dean, Turku, Finland

There is really no doubt to me that guns should be banned, so you can take me off the list of "stupid, gun ho americans", which I must say is a relatively ignorant comment. There is really no need in this day and age to have a gun. Most hunters do not hunt for their own survival anyway. Its sport.

Mark, Baltimore, USA

It is overly simplistic to blame "gun ownership" on this horrific crime. Switzerland, Norway, and Israel allow citizens to keep real full auto "assault weapons"at home, yet gun crimes there are almost unheard of. Laws that restrict firearms ownership do not address how to treat insanity.

Jim , Boise, USA

Let me know when the number of people killed by nutjobs on shooting sprees passes the number of unarmed citizens killed by tyrants over the past 100 years (ie- Stalin, Mao, Hitler), and I will join you in your quest to ban gun ownership.

Robert Jones, Kansas, USA

I'll take my chances with my firearm.
The "authorities" are never fast enough.
If the "authorities" were fast enough, the nine folks mentioned in this article would still be alive. But, since only one person had a firearm, and it was the one person that meant harm, nine people are dead.

Chuck, Houston, Texas

What I want to say is that if it was allowed to everyone have guns I would feel extremely unsafe. Even when I know that there are many guns in Finland I also know that they are used to hunting. It's unlikely that a person walking past me on street is carrying a gun. I still feel safe at college.

Anna, Mikkeli, Finland

Open your heart, first to yourself, then to the world. When this happens the thought of harming another life becomes disgusting.

Living in the Heart: How to Enter into the Sacred Space Within the Heart - A book by Drunvalo Melchizedeck

Chris, Huntsville, USA

Ahhh, but the illegalize guns position takes it for granted that the guns will go away. Only criminals, by definition will have them. The culture in the US is different than Europe and a law won't change it. Just define more people as criminals.

Tom Daly, Highlands NJ, USA

Guns are not the problem.

Something is terribly wrong with a society where these killings happen. Stress. Mental health. Too much pressure in schools. Bullies.

Finland is a lot like the United States and other over industrialised countries. Huge mental health problems.

Douglas, Los Angeles, United States

Tom, Des Moines, if you are a law abiding citizen, why do you say you want to protect yourself from the government? Your comments only prove that mass gun ownership encourages criminality and anarchy. It is time to ban on all private gun ownership.

Paul, london, england

Im sorry but im amazed at the comments from the american readers... U cant realy be this stupid can you?
"a lunatic will just pick up a knife and use that instead." And with that knife he will kill 9 people? I think not...."These other students need to be allowed to carry guns in the schools" *sigh*

isger, Vienna,

Given the US has the worst track record for killings by guns at schools I find it terrifying that any American would condone carrying guns. The evidence is clear. Easier access to guns=more deaths by shootings. No one should have the right to carry arms. Should we hand out bombs for self-protection?

Phil, London,

Joe, a typical response from an American. Yes if others had a gun then he would not have been able to slaughter as many innocent people. Yet, if he did not have a gun, no-one would've had to die.

I agree that a minority will find a way, but if we ban firearms in their entirity, for sport and other pursuits, it would not be as easy.

Another sad day all the same.

Phil, Hartlepool, England

I agree with Alia. People kill people. You take away the ability for law abiding citizens to defend themselves and leave weapons in the hands of animals. I want to be able to protect my family. You take away guns and you take away the ability to defend yourself from criminals and gov.

tom, Des Moines, United States

Its all the gun-ho americans that want EVERYONE to carry a handgun. Lets just think about that for a second, why should it be necessary for everyone to carry a devise capiable of killing another human being? I think therein lies the problem, both with the american foreign policy and attitude

Seth, London,

The FACTS are this: Virtually every single shooting of this
type is committed by an individual who is or was taking some
form of psychotropic drug i.e. Prozac or Ratilin. Bookmark this
article and in a week or so go back to read any follow up
articles and I assure that the autopsy will reveal it.

Quinn, New York, USA

Alia, in countries where guns are banned criminals have far fewer guns than in the US, and very many lives are saved. Check out the figures. The extra deaths and injuries from firearms may though be a price worth paying for the additional personal freedom that you enjoy. It's your call.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Americans don't seem to get it that guns are banned in most of the rest of the world and it works better because fewer nut jobs have easy access to them. The right to bear arms was conceived in a different time & quoting the constitution like a human right is an empty argument to protect gun lovers.

James Conway, Dublin, Ireland

It's amazing how many people are killed each year with cars.. Maybe we should ban those too..

Then we should ban Alcohol.. That is responsonsble for more deaths in America than guns...

This is tragic. I wish that one student would have been armed so they could have protected everyone!

Philip, San Antonio, USA

Quite, Harry!

At the moment lots of people get killed by "non-criminals". If you banned guns, only the criminals would have guns, indeed, thus reducing the number of people getting killed by guns.

How often have people managed to save themselves from criminals by shooting back? Not a lot.

M. R., Stockport, UK

Am I alone in noticing that the Police had him in for questioning and did not revoke his gun permit? If they took him in for questioning he should of had his weapon taking from him. Gun control works only if people use it. Legal and controlled ownership works.

My thoughts are with the victims.

Andy, UK,

Guns kill people the same way that pencils misspell words. Banning firearms will not prevent trajedies like this from happening; a lunatic will just pick up a knife and use that instead.

Sam Jenkins, Little Rock, United States

It's not enough that the US gov't wants to control everything & gets its hands into all the wrong areas through Congress (re: the mortgage crisis), but people like Jeff in Sacramento wants to take our guns away too so that we can't stop the gov't when it decides to turn the US into a military state.

Ryan, Winston-Salem, USA

Another shooting, and more legislation will follow, more calls to ban guns. But none of this will have any positive effect.

Allan Robertson, Glasgow, Scotland

These other students need to be allowed to carry guns in the schools. Making these areas a 'gun free zone' is a death warrent for the other helpless students. These madmen know that if they go into a gun free zone, they won't have anyone shooting back at them. Bad guys ignore the laws anyway.

Ryan, Pleasant Hill, MO, USA

Guns don't kill people, people do. If we were to ban guns completely in the US, then only the criminals would have them. Do you think they care about the legality of it? The right to bear arms is what keeps our government from walking in and shooting us at night.

Alia, Greensburg, United States

The statement that "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" should be banned!

Harry, Bethesda, USA

Number of 1.6 million firearms in Finland are mostly rifles/shotguns for hunting. Licence to own something that is OBVIOUSLY NOT for hunting should be restricted under shooting club premises only.
I despise all media showing this maniacs own footage and so boosting "Social proof" for this behavior.

Toni, Suomi, Finland

I'm totally shocked by the tragedy. Finland cannot afford to have a third shooting like this. This has to be stopped.

Akye Ren, Espoo, Finland

I think all law abiding citizens should be able to carry a firearm. If the people in that school were allowed to carry, that nutjob would not have gotten as far as he did.

And a wicked person is always going to find ways to get around the law. They dont sit at home and worry about gun laws...

Joe Savelli, Flowery Branch GA , USA

Pictures & videos such as these should not be shown in the media, & mass killers' names should be withheld, to reduce the incentive for copycat killings by disturbed youths seeking a famous end.

Steve, Oxford,

This is just terrible. First was the Jokela school massacre, and now this. As a Finn I don't feel my own school to be really safe anymore. All this just makes people scaried and paranoid.

Emma, Kuopio, Finland

We could impose more gun restraint laws, but we would still find killers. In fact, i'm sure the murderer would have thought twice if other people on the premises carried guns too! The proportion of gun violence in America in relation to the population is only slightly higher than of other countries

Louis, panama city, USA

When school shootings happen in America, people want to put more guns on the streets and make them more attainable. These things don't happen in places where guns are banned for a reason. People need to get over this sick obsession with firearms - Americans especially.

Jeff, Sacramento / CA, USA

There has always been a lot of guns here in Finland, why is this happening now? Small firearms needs to be more heavily regulated (end this just after Finland won two medals n different shooting sports in China), as they are quite seldom needed in hunting.

Jarno Koski, Hellsinki, Finland

I love Finland, its people and the country... but they have to be careful not to turn into America.

Howard, Manchester,

My deepest sympathies to the families who lost children during this vicious crime. Why do these types of videos ever get on to YouTube to begin with?

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

I disagree with the logic that the problem will be less frequent by banning guns. If you look at the history of mass shootings, nearly all of them have taken place at a location where GUNS ARE BANNED. Banning guns isn't the solution. People should have a right to protect themselves at all costs.

Tony, Orlando, USA

Solution... Ban guns,..... guns kill people, this is what happens when you legalize gun culture,

Kolkeo, Helsinki, Finland

The initial video stream (the trailer for "Taken") epitomizes a major part of what causes people to think that violence is the answer. People are far too exposed to guns in movies etc.

James Campbell, Newark-on-Trent,

As a Finn I can be nothing but extremely sad about what´s going on in our youth. This is a second incidence like this in less than a year. My opinion is something should be done both in mental health care systems and in regulations who can own a weapon etc. Sorry for thefamilies who lost their kids.

Kristiina, Kuopio, Finland

If guns were banned then this problem would not be as frequent. Guns are banned in the UK and we have gun crime..but compare that to those countries where guns can be bought legally and the death rate 'shoots' up. Theres no denying the fact that guns need taking away.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

When the lecturer told us about this at the end of our lecture less than an hour ago, I must admit that my first reaction was puzzlement. Are things really that bad in Finnish small towns that young people don't see a better way out of their anxiety than this? Or can this be just a coincidence?

Sari, Turku, Finland