11K deaths from homicide isn't "almost non existent". Now it is true the burden is concentrated in young males, especially black males. This is not to say a death from homicide is intrinsically more important than from suicide, that firearms aren't linked to higher suicide rates, or that gun suicide isn't worth preventing - clearly it is.
As for why the news focuses on homicide, especially spectacular mass murders, "if it bleeds it leads".
As for why the news focuses on homicide, especially spectacular mass murders, "if it bleeds it leads".