As President Obama continues to push for gun control, some wonder if that's the best solution to the problem of gun violence.
Four panelists weighed in on a variety of topics, from the recent increase in gun violence, to what drives someone to use a gun to commit murder.
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut took the lives of 20 kids and six adults. And, left many wondering what would prompt someone to carry out such a horrific act against innocent people.
"Mass shooters have tended to be rejected, alienated, angry, estranged, suspicious, depressed in the angry sense of the word. They tend to be loners. They tend to be bullied, and they tend to be isolated," said Mental Health Expert Brik McDill.
McDill is a local mental health expert and was one of four panelists at a forum at CSUB Wednesday that focused on the causes and cures of gun violence.
According to McDill, there are more than 32,000 gun-related deaths each year. But, less than 300 are victims of mass shootings.
Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson says the number of homicides in the last ten years is staggering.
"But at the same time, when we have 543 victims in these 70 mass shootings, over 500,000 other homicides occurred in the same period. So while the mass shootings are sensational for us, we have 500,000 other victims in the United States over a decade," said Williamson.
Now, there's a push by President Obama to limit what types of weapons can be sold.
But, will it make a difference?
"Are these conservations to any good end? Are we merely having conversation because we are horrified and feel like we have to do something even if that something is not in the end effective? Or, do we think there are genuine changes we can make to social policy?" said Christopher Meyers from the Kegley Institute of Ethics.
On Saturday, "A Day of Resistance" gun rally will be held at Bear Mountain Sports off Weedpatch Highway.
