If by "didn't work" you mean didn't stop every murder using a gun, then yes, they "didn't work." Course that's a naive standard.
Whatcha want to try gold?
Banning shotguns?
Violent video games?
Violent movies?
Violent song lyrics?
Psychotropic drugs?
Works real good in the drug war doesn't it? And during Prohibition. Making stuff illegal and all.
Visit the homes of all disgruntle students and remove the guns and knives?
Put multiple cops in every school (you ought to like that since you think as highly as you do of cops)?
Metal detectors in every entryway in every school?
Bullet proof walls, doors, and windows in all new construction?
How about giving all the kiddos "A"s and nice trophies?
What do you want to try?
i don't think i would do any of this
*I would want to do some soul searching as a nation if the 2nd amendment is outdated
*I would require everyone that buys any type of gun to be required a rigorous gun safety course
*require safes to be had and be used
*outlaw gun shows
*set some type of national age for purchase (not sure where i would set it as of right now)
*rigorous background checks against violent offenders (not sure where i would say where to start with someone that is a "violent offender" but it wouldn't be a charge that is easy to be charged with) and checks for mentally ill
*it shouldn't take less than an hour to go in and get a gun and shouldn't take a day either etc.
*i would free up space in prisons by getting rid of non violent offenders and would lock up people with strict sentences for breaking gun laws
*make blackmarket gun sellers and owners some of the toughest sentences that aren't murder,rape and child molestation etc in this country
what i have come up with thus far and it is far from being perfect or the solution.
like most things, education is a key to a lot of problems
i do think there is some truth to this: I also think that it will take "heart" work - work done through loving neighbors, family members, ministers, counselors, etc. Government can have a role, but it can't do and shouldn't do everything.
i have no problem with guns personally. I own 1 and i could own anything under the sun and it wouldn't be a problem but i also don't think my freedoms are being stolen by saying we don't need to deal with this problem anymore and be tougher about it.
i never once while i was in Japan or Australia or New Zealand had the thought of "i better watch out" by going down this alley or whatever cause i thought i might get shot. i can't say that here back home and that is sad