We must recognize the obvious distinction between rifles, shotguns and target pistols used for sport on the one hand, and semiautomatic handguns designed for killing people on the other. We must decide that allowing anyone to carry a concealed weapon, no questions asked, is just crazy. And for heaven's sake, we must demand that laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of lunatics be enforced.
Who said they have the authority to carry a concealed weapon no questions asked? Concealed carry permits are more difficult to get than anything else. Most people buy handguns for self defense against home invasion or for hobby shooting at a range.
This isn't about gun ownership or concealed carry, it's about what our laws should be on forcing people to undergo mental evaluations and how easy it should be to get an involuntary committal. Arizona has one of the most "progressive" laws on forcing people to undergo evaluations by mental health professionals. It didn't help because his parents didn't think it was serious enough.
His father, who reportedly hasn't worked since Jared was born 22 years ago, didn't think it was much of a problem when he was barred from returning to college without certified documents from mental health professionals stating he was not a threat to himself or others. If he and his father weren't working (makes me wonder how Jared got the 500 dollars for the handgun??) they probably spent enough time together. Neither parent thought his problems were enough to warrant a visit to a mental health specialist.
I wonder how liable his parents will be for damages seeing that he was an adult. He did live in their home, but I'm not sure that will matter.
