Deadliest mass shooting: Gun control, mental health will be focus

Hours after the worst mass shooting in modern American history, investigators and others are examining issues that continue to plague society, such as gun control and mental health.

Specifically, how did the suspect, former accountant Stephen Paddock, 64, assemble an arsenal of weapons, including high-powered assault varieties, and willingly gun down innocent strangers attending a Las Vegas country music concert?

According to recent reports, Paddock killed 59 and injured 525 or more.

He apparently then took his own life, authorities say, but not before committing the worst act of domestic terrorism in recent history.

Paddock used a machine-gun, say police and witnesses, and fired lightning-fast rounds from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, an attack he carefully planned.

As a U.S. citizen, Paddock had a right to carry a gun and use one for recreation. He reportedly had hunted in Alaska. It was perfectly legal to do so, as long as he carried a license.

But he didn’t have a right to kill fellow Americans. As for his firearm of choice, many believe no citizen at all should have a right to use a mass-assault weapon. There most certainly will be continued debate about gun control as the scope of this tragedy unfolds.

When someone kills using a gun, people seem to blame the gun and call for a ban.

On the heels of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school killings, the government tried and failed to introduce new gun control measures. But the provision lost steam, in part because the intent seemed to be more about control than guns.

Many believe gun control is based on a fallacy. It makes a false assumption that criminals obey the law. There’s a step that goes even further. Some say we need a utopian society without any guns whatsoever.

It sounds nice to say it, but will never happen.

A gun ban is the theory that it is morally superior to position yourself to be a victim rather than take up arms to protect yourself and your family. Gun control tries to imagine a world where guns disappear simply because they’re termed “illegal.”

If only things were so simple.

So then, what should be done?

For one, a re-evaluation of access to military-grade firearms is in order.

Machine guns, 50-caliber weapons, and other military-style firepower have no place in our homes, on gun ranges and hunting grounds.

But just as important, we need to rightfully examine mental health in our society and how we deal with aberrant behavior.

Shooter Paddock will serve as a good case study.

Initial information suggests he didn’t fit the typical terrorist profile.

Police say there is no hint of a previous criminal record or radical behavior. Yet there he was, amassing a formidable amount of firepower.

In addition, Paddock, at some point, had completed training necessary to secure a pilot’s license.

One can only imagine the horror and pain he could have inflicted had he decided to use a plane as his weapon of choice.

What, exactly, set him off? Why the frustration? And how was he able to amass a frightening arsenal of firearms without raising a red flag?

Those answers likely will come.

Whatever they are, let’s hope society is wise enough to learn from it.

By Donald R. Serfass | tneditor@tnonline.com