How might Tucson shootings change America?

It's been five days since a barrage of gunfire at a public event in Tucson, Ariz., left six people dead and injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) as well as 13 others.

Since then, there has been argument over what caused the violence and how a repeat might be avoided. Do we need stricter gun control? More help for the mentally ill? Better security for lawmakers? A less heated political debate? All or none of the above?

We've also seen plenty discussion of the political impact. Will Sarah Palin be hurt by the fallout? How, if at all, will President Obama's standing be affected?

In short: How might the Tucson shootings change America?

• Increased gun control? Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) has already introduced a bill to ban the kind of high-capacity clips used in the shooting. Gun-control advocates say that without such a clip, he'd have had to stop to reload far earlier, allowing bystanders to intervene sooner. But it's unclear what the measure's chances are, and in Arizona -- which has some of the loosest gun laws in the country -- increased gun control already appears to be a nonstarter. Indeed, some gun-rights groups are arguing that the shooting proves only that more people should have guns, so that someone could have shot the assailant. In the end, if the shootings do lead to increased gun control, it'll probably only be around the edges.

• More help for the mentally ill? Despite signs that Jared Loughner was deeply disturbed, there's no evidence that the shooting suspect ever got help. Mental health advocates say cuts to mental health services, and a widespread stigma about mental illness, are causing untold numbers of mentally ill Americans to similarly fall through the cracks. But the state budget gaps that have caused the cutbacks aren't likely be fixed soon. And getting the public to understand that mental illness -- like any physical ailment -- requires treatment is probably a decades-long project. Once the shootings begin to fade from the news, it seems unlikely that much will change.

Click image to see more photos from victim Christina Green's funeral

Reuters

• Stepped-up security for lawmakers? Rep. Giffords had very little security at Saturday's meet-and-greet event -- attendees were not screened or frisked before being allowed to come face to face with her. That wasn't unusual for a rank-and-file lawmaker, even though many say they've received threats in the last year or so. In response, some Democrats are calling for an increased budget for lawmakers' security. But many members are wary of new security restrictions for public events, fearing that they would become less accessible to their constituents.

Lawmakers are also discussing having the U.S. Marshals Service play a bigger role in investigating threats against members of Congress. And as many as 10 lawmakers have said they might carry their own weapons for protection.

• A more civil political dialogue? In his memorial speech Wednesday night, President Obama -- echoing a wave of commentators -- assailed the polarized state of the political debate, and urged Americans to "make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds." It's far too soon to say what impact these calls for comity will have, but there's reason to be skeptical that much will change. There's little agreement on whether our toxic political discourse even played into the attack. The genuine, deeply felt ideological differences that lie behind the heated rhetoric haven't disappeared. And we're only a year from the start of another almost certainly divisive presidential campaign.

Still, who knows? Glenn Beck, whose uncompromising attacks on the Obama administration have been Exhibit A for those calling for a more civil tone, responded to the president's speech with unexpected praise. "This is probably the best speech he has ever given," Beck told listeners to his radio show. "And with all sincerity, thank you, Mr. President, for becoming the president of the United States of America last night."

• A blow to Sarah Palin's potential presidential hopes? Last year, Palin's political action committee produced a "target map" showing some Democrats' congressional districts, including Giffords', in cross hairs. Giffords was one of numerous people who denounced the imagery. There's no evidence Loughner was even aware of the map, but since the shootings Palin has nevertheless been on the defensive. A Palin staffer said the cross hairs were surveyor's marks. Palin this week released a video speech accusing the media of "blood libel," a term that sparked further controversy.

Will the episode make it harder for Palin to run for president, should she want to? It's hard to see it helping her. Still, her attacks on the mainstream media have so far proved an effective way to rally her supporters, so it's tough to predict what the impact will be.

Click image to see more photos of Giffords

Reuters

• A boost for Obama? Even before Wednesday night, the president had seen his approval ratings jump in two recent surveys, probably thanks to the slowly improving economy. Moments of national trauma tend to spur Americans to rally around their leader, and the president is already winning plaudits from both left and right for his eulogy Wednesday. But whether any popularity surge will last remains to be seen. In all likelihood, the president's re-election chances will depend on a factor we've long known would dictate the course of the next election: the state of the economy.

(Top photo of Giffords last week, three days before the shooting, re-enacting her swearing-in: AP/Susan Walsh)