Mental Illness and School Shootings

In response to the recent school shooting that left nine dead and several wounded at an Oregon community college, many gun advocates maintain that the problem is not guns; rather, it is mental health.

In one sense, I agree with them.

The idea that individuals that commit random, senseless mass killings on school campuses are deeply disturbed is fairly obvious. It also falls short of addressing the problem of mass shootings. Some suggest that arming staff members, having local law enforcement provide security, and adding metal detectors at entrances of schools is an appropriate approach to reducing mass shooting incidents. Others propose stricter gun legislation and limiting gun sales.

Perhaps some combination of these options is the best answer.

According to a report published by The New York Times, the shooter at Umpqua Community College attended a private school for students with “learning disabilities, emotional issues, and other special-education needs.” Despite that, the six guns he carried during the shooting along with several more guns recovered from his home were purchased legally according to an article published by NPR.

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In my view, there is a definite point of intervention here. Surely lawmakers can craft a set of regulations that addresses the problem of mass school shootings in some way without negatively impacting responsible, law-abiding gun owners.

Critics of expanding gun regulations may point out that cities like Chicago already have significant gun laws yet experience high rates of gun-related homicides. However, are the factors that lead to inner city gun violence the same as those that lead to mass school shootings? Just because one set of interventions is ineffective in one context does not mean that they are ineffective in every context. Mass school shootings are unique and will likely require a specific set of interventions.

Others may argue that policies alone will not prevent every mass shooting on college campuses. That is true. What is also true is that policies alone will not rid America of car accident related deaths. That does mean instituting policies that prohibit driving while texting or under the influence of alcohol is pointless.

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