Mass shooting in the middle school Vladislav Ribnikar in Belgrade

[HappySkeptic]

I think mass shooters have an undiagnosed mental illness. If willingness to kill strangers is not a sign of mental illness, what is? But it doesn't follow that a diagnosed mental illness is a good predictor of being a mass shooter and that people with a diagnosed mental illness should not be allowed to have guns. Also, I think making it illegal for people with mental illness to own a gun will make people owning a gun be afraid of visiting a psychiatrist.

There could be an argument to made that psychologists should not have reporting requirements for anything, allowing cannibals, mass murders, rapists etc. to get the help they need without being reported to some "list" or to authorities.

But that ship has sailed, for good or bad.  We have decided that a psychologist isn't a priest, and has more responsibility to society than to their patients.

That being said, not all psychological issues make a person dangerous.  I doubt requiring psychologists to put people on "should not own a gun" lists are going to help any but the most egregious cases. 

The best solution?  Don't hand out military grade weapons like candy, and have a warped gun culture surrounding them.  Guns are a tool.  They require safety training and a culture of respect for what the weapon can do.  Guns aren't a symbol of manhood, right-wing power, a redress for perceived grievance, or something that should be needed because you think the "other" is out to get you.