Wild Wild West

The more I read and hear about the background of the shootings at Viginia Tech University, the more I am convinced that politicians in the US (in general) are dumb, uneducated and clueless as how a modern society should deal with violence and crime. Gun owner groups (backed up by the gun industry lobby) are now using this tragedy to promote the idea that if more people had guns the shooting could have been avoided. What a dumb idea. It is the idea that you fight fire with fire. Right, [sarcasm mode on] look how perfectly that has worked out in countries like Israel; it has virtually stopped all terrorism in it's track - not ! [/sarcasm mode off]. Also I am getting more and more convinced that the debate about gun control versus the pro gun ownership will never be resolved.

Something I didn't know, is that Virginia gun laws are among the most relaxed in the US (see below). If Virginia laws war up to par with other states, a simple background check would have revealed that Cho Seung-Hui had a criminal record and that he had a history of mental problems for which he was comitted (suicide atempt). Both reason why in any other state he would not had been able to buy a gun legally. This specific tragedy could have been prevented.

Virginia State Requirements (source: Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco and Firearms - ATF)

Rifles and Shotguns

Permit to purchase rifles and shotguns? No.
Registration of rifles and shotguns? No.
Licensing of owners of rifles and shotguns? No.
Permit to carry rifles and shotguns? No.

Handguns

Permit to purchase handgun? No.
Registration of handguns? No.
Licensing of owners of handguns? No.
Permit to carry handguns? Yes. A permit is required if concealed.

Other Requirements

Is there a State waiting period? No.
Is there a FBI *NICS check for firearm transactions? No. State system.
Permit to carry a concealed weapon required? Yes.
Record of sale: No.

(*NICS - National Instant Check System)

Basically Cho Seung-Hui walked into a store, bought his guns and walked out. Nobody ever bothered doing a background check or anything.