Mass shootings, what can be done?

These mass shootings occurring around the country are doing grave damage to one of our most cherish freedoms. Millions of people believe that gun control laws are the answer to the problem. But that is not a solution.

How many laws does a mass shooter break in the act of shooting innocent people totally unknown to him? Do you think passing one, two or three more laws that will not impact a psychopath is going to make a difference?

First recognize what is the mass shooter seeking. Recognition of some kind is probably high on the list. You want a law that will actually impact the number of mass shootings taking place? Why not one that prohibits the publication of the identity of the mass shooter? Do not identity the shooter to the public in any way whatsoever and make it a severe penalty to do so.

Red Flag laws MIGHT BE A HELP, BUT THEY ARE SO DANGEROUS! People are being arrested based on nothing more than a complaint from any one! If a red flag law is going to be passed, it has got to have severe limitations. Limitations like a person cannot be held in any detention facility more than 15 days without probable cause he/she is absolutely a danger to himself or to society and any property taken by the police is returned undamaged within the same 15 days. The same protection any other arrested person is granted must be afforded to the person taken into custody.

In fact, I would oppose any property being taken into custody. If the person is taken into custody, why take his firearms too? He can't do any harm while in custody.

We cannot allow psychopaths to determine our future!

How about a law that requires health care providers to identity every person they see THAT THEY THINK COULD BE A MASS SHOOTER AND RED FLAG them in their health records? That person could then be taken in to custody and taken to a mental health facility based on the opinion of at least a health care provider. This too is dangerous, but I agree, "something must be done" to stop these senseless killings.

Anyone who is considering killing people, does nothing but prove his insanity! This is a problem all of us must unite in a sensible solution that actually impacts the potential killer, not the millions of us who want nothing more than wanting to participate in a sport that involves a firearm.

Be it hunting, shooting skeet or participating in defensive matches to ensure our own ability to act against a mass shooter if we ever encounter one. We who carry concealed firearms for our and our fellow citizens protection are as concerned as anyone. But we don't want laws that impact those of us who are actually a part of the solution.

No one wants our society safe from psychopaths more than we who already own firearms. We are the ones proposed gun control laws will impact. Ask yourself how have the rigid gun control laws in Chicago worked?

All of us must pay attention to those around us - family, friends and acquaintances. Be a real part of the solution, not a band aid on a stage four cancer.

Philip is a retired Air Force officer where he was an intelligence analyst. He is also a retired law enforcement officer. He has an undergrad degree in criminal justice as well as a master's that is heavily weighted in criminal justice. He has had, in his words, "a love affair" with firearms all his adult life. He also teaches concealed carry classes. Contact him at philipgintheswan@gmail.com