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Chris Kyle, record-holding sniper as Navy SEAL, killed in double slaying at Texas gun range

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lawhawk2/03/2013 9:38:26 am PST

My thoughts and prayers go out to Kyle’s and Littlefield’s family and friends. Losing a family member or friend is tough.

I’ve seen a couple of reports that indicate that Kyle’s attacker was himself a soldier with PTSD and someone who Kyle was attempting to help.

It makes an already tough situation even tougher. It highlights the need for improved mental health treatment and support services for those returning from military service and to help reintegrating into the civilian life.

As some have noted above, if a single bad guy with a gun can still murder people who are knowledgeable about firearms (and presumably outnumber the bad guy by a wide margin), then the asinine line of thinking by LaPierre and others that a good guy with a gun will stop a bad guy with a gun should be put to rest.

A bad guy who intends to kill will invariably be able to get the drop on someone who isn’t ready to defend themselves, even if they’re armed.

What kinds of laws could have prevented this particular crime? It’s not entirely clear. Laws prohibiting those with mental health issues? Perhaps, but until we know more of the shooter’s mental health status, treatment, etc., it’s not clear that there was an indicator that he shouldn’t have been entitled to own/carry firearms. For the same reason, a background check wouldn’t necessarily have dissuaded the shooter (depending on registration/reregistration requirements). The AWB wouldn’t necessarily have prevented it either.

In other words, no law will prevent 100% of firearms deaths, but there are reasonable steps that the nation should take to reduce the epidemic of firearms fatalities and injuries.