I suspect if this individual was that disturbed, he has probably had contact with either law enforcement or the mental health system (or both) at some point.

Our mental health system is pathetic. It's a revolving door of minimalist bandaid treatment:

1) An individual decompensates (goes bonkers) and comes to the attention of law enforcement, county coroner, or wanders into the emergency room.

2) Is admitted to a psych unit which is crisis stabilization only,

3) Sent out to follow up (maybe) with a overburdened assembly line mental health system until s/he stops taking the meds, decompensates, and the cycle begins again.

4) Until of course they kill someone. Then they're diverted to the Dept of Corrections until they are released. Then go back to step 1.

The school shootings are not so much a gun control issue (of which I am in favor of in moderation), but of a number of factors.

1) Columbine - parents not raising their kids but letting the tv or video games do it, and kids not being taught respect for other human beings. No sense of community or belonging.

2) Colorado - sexual predators have not been shown to be treatable. (as much as it appeals to many, castration doesn't work), so life imprisonment is the most practical answer.

Taking away the guns won't solve the problem. The nut jobs will only grab machetes instead.

The cause is multi factoral, the solution needs to be multi faceted as well.

Sorry for the rant.