I have been reading coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre and I am concerned no one wants to confront the real issues. Society seems to be more interested in masking the symptoms of greater problems instead of trying to find and solve the root causes. Senseless violence is a symptom of greater problems. When someone is so methodical and premeditated with such a crime, they are most likely almost unstoppable. Gun control and metal detectors can not stop these mass murders. Banning guns will only cause the perpetrators of violent crimes to use other means, such as knives, propane tanks (Columbine) or fertilizer bombs (Oklahoma City). Mental illnesses seem to be the primary cause of these events. If society continues to ignore and stigmatize mental disorders, people will not seek help. If people legally can't get help for those who need it, mental illnesses will continue to go untreated. So long as these illnesses go untreated, society will not be able to prevent these tragedies from happening.