The only real issue I see here is the debate on whether assault weapons should be permitted. I'm definitely against it because it allows a maniac to easily kill 100 people with the pull of a trigger. Hand guns on the other hand, should be permitted and allowed/encouraged for everyone to own.
The guy who did this wasn't crazy or mentally ill. He was a regular joe who went to work and paid taxes and then his wife cheated on him. He felt anger, jealousy & humiliation which are all normal human emotions when faced with such an event. Had he not had a gun, he would have simply stabbed the guy to death. Had he not had a knife, he would have choked the guy to death or beat him with a rock or baseball bat.
The strength of both parties will never be equal. At the lowest level, we are all built differently. Some guys are 6'2 250lbs while others are 5'5 170lbs. Who do you think is gonna win in a fight (assuming no weapons are available) ?