Violence in America: Silliness or Solutions?

The shooting and murders in Oregon this past week have brought all of the "contenders" out of their corners in the ongoing boxing match around "to gun control or not to gun control." The arguments remain basically unchanged from the last time we heard these cries from both sides.

What is the full specturm of violence in America and what along that spectrum can the government, local or federal, do about it?

An open and heartfelt view of what seems to be escalating violence home and abroad. Are they connected?