You're quite right about the fact that more legislation would not have stopped this bloke and a lot like him.
In one respect though it is not just a government knee jerk reaction. It is a society knee jerk reaction.
The politicians will only bring in more regulations if they think it will be electorally popular. It will only be electorally popular of enough people think it is a good idea.
People like to blame the government, but the government is usually only doing what a significant section of society wants. That is how they get re-elected.
It is not the government's fault. It is our fault. Of course I exclude you and me from that group because we can see the futility of it. It is everyone else's fault.
