A former Navy reservist killed 12 people Monday in a shooting at a Washington D.C. Navy yard. This massacre added 12 lives to the tally of more than 200, which have been taken by a killer since 2006, according to USA Today (http://usat.ly/1eGP6Jd).

This number includes Newtown, Aurora and Fort Hood, among others, all of which have resulted in generating a nation-wide discussion on gun laws. The discussion continues with advocates for and against guns fighting tooth and nail for his or her side, but the constant back-and-forth has led to few if any results.

Similar to Newtown, the killer responsible for Monday’s shooting had mental health issues. It’s time for politicians, and American at large, to take a closer look at how these individuals obtain guns.

So how many more mass killings will occur until real progress is made?

The FBI defines a mass killing as having four or more deaths, excluding the killer, and USA Today reports the United States has had one about every two weeks for the past seven years.

After the Newtown shooting, many Americans pushed for firmer restrictions on gun control, which drew support from President Barack Obama. However, four months later, Senate defeated the legislation Newtown had procured.

Meanwhile states have adopted their own laws in regard to the debate. Gun control supporters have triumphed in states such as New York and Connecticut, while gun enthusiasts have had more success in Texas and Alabama.

But the reality is, whether one is for or against gun control laws, changes do need to be made. This begins with a discussion about how to address the mass killings happening more than monthly across the nation.

One thing is clear, however, the nation is going to spend a lot more time searching for answers in the middle ground.