I don't disagree, Min. I do think, however, that there is validity to BizzyB's argument that if we make it harder for a nut job to carry out a plan to wreak havoc, it will lessen the chances of success. I mean, this is why we are told to use secure locks and make our homes difficult to break into - the idea is the would-be thief will give up and go elsewhere, or become more likely to get caught because of expending more time and effort. Why give a nut or a criminal an easy tool?
I did want to comment on the role this boy's mother played, though. Keeping in mind that we still don't know much about what really happened, I think she was a big-time enabler who bears responsibility. I've worked in family support with families similar to the one in the "I am Adam's mother" blog. I remember one family had a 13-year old son who tried to burn their house down several times. They subsequently made sure that he never had access to any potential firestarter materials. It's a no-brainer, really. For this mother to provide guns and train her son in their use when she knew he had all kinds of mental health and behavioural issues screams dissonance to me. Something very wrong with the picture.