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Laz, I doubt these crimes are being orchestrated for the purposes of disarmament. I agree that the hoplophobes are exploiting these tragedies, but I don't think even they are stupid enough to try to start one.

But, these atrocities are certainly being encouraged. It's obvious to anyone that pays attention, and it's been documented for at least 20 years:

Ethical Problems of Mass Murder Coverage In The Mass Media

I was only recently made aware of this article. But, I remember writing Usenet postings back in the late 90's, saying exactly the same thing: the saturation coverage of these tragedies by the lamestream media is triggering additional incidents.

The perpetrators are put under the microscope, and the details of their lives are splashed across the front page of newspapers, websites, and there are endless discussions about them on various TV programs. This is repeated every time.

Think about it: if you are teetering on the edge of the precipice, and want to go out in a blaze of glory/infamy, what's the best way to get the most attention, albeit posthumously?

The lamestream media is ENCOURAGING this behavior. And, they are doing it because people will watch/read their news coverage, and it will boost their ratings.

Don't misinterpret me: I'm not claiming the media is doing this with the explicit intention of encouraging more mass shootings. But, it's certainly a consequence of the media's behavior. They could modify their coverage to avoid this, but they haven't, and probably won't.

Responsible behavior by the media would include:

Focus on the victims: the people that died, and the lives that were cut short, and their potential that was unfilled.
Focus on the injured: how they are coping with their injuries, and how their life has changed.
Focus on the heroes: the people that acted selflessly to protect others, and what they did to prevent further tragedy.
Focus on the friends and family of the victims: what they will miss, and how they are coping. There's a fine line here -- the media should ask if they want to make a statement, but otherwise leave them alone.

The focus on the perpetrator has to stop. Identify him, list his crimes (as if he was still alive), and that's it. Don't talk to his family, his friends, or anyone else. Don't give him a platform to express his grievances, posthumously.