Why is it headline news? It happens all the time.

[SueDonim]

Overall it is clear that we only see reports of the most notable mass shootings, and that there is a disproportionate number per capita compared to our population. I would hazard a guess that that is something to do with the sheer numbers of people squashed into over-crowded cities along with all the other issues that go with that.

and here I was thinking it was because of that stupid second amendment, maybe the power and influence of the NRA, perhaps the various government lobby groups...  do you think any of that might have any influence on the state of affairs over there?

I think most of the power and influence of the NRA is just that they keep ramming the fact that making all the laws you like won't make a problem go away and so many people understand that and support the stance.

The second amendment is often quoted, but some states seem to have got around it.