Victims' family members, advocates and academics say they're disappointed the government chose not to launch a full public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting.

Lawyers, government officials and relatives had gathered in a Guysborough, N.S., municipal building for the inquiry that also aims to determine what can be done to prevent similar tragedy.

The inquiry will determine the circumstances under which the deaths of Lionel Desmond, his mother, his wife and their daughter occurred.