I’m a Mandated Gun Control Reporter, But We’re All Responsible

21-year-old Dylann Roof entered a church in Charleston, South Carolina. He sat with some members for a bible study, then opened gunfire on them, killing eight people. A ninth person later died at a hospital. The pastor was among the six women and three men who were killed. This was a racially motivated hate crime. Roof said he was there “to shoot black people.” He also indicated that he intended to kill himself. He was armed with a gun when he was arrested.

Could this shooting have been prevented? An examination into his life shows mental health and substance abuse issues. His views were known to others. He posted photos of himself on his website with symbols of white supremacy along with a manifesto in which he expressed his views toward blacks. He told friends and family of his plans to kill people, but his claims were not taken seriously.

I would not want to be that person who could have and should have made a report to prevent him from owning a gun. One can imagine that person lives with regret and guilt at not having acted to prevent him from owning a gun. No one wants to believe this will happen to us, in our corner of the world. We want to believe that the people we love are not capable of such violence. And yet, it happens.

I read this news story with a sense of detachment. After all, this happened outside my community. But, upon second thought, shootings happen everywhere and the next time, it could be in my community. I am positioned to be called upon to make a report. I am a social services provider working as a substance abuse counselor, a mental health therapist, and a domestic violence counselor for perpetrators. I am a mandated FOID (Firearms Owner’s Identification) reporter in the state of Illinois. The Firearm Concealed Carry Law identifies mental health treatment facilities, physicians, psychologists, nurses, and marriage & family therapists as qualified examiners if they meet certain criteria. We should be prepared to make the determination that someone is unfit to own a firearm.

But here’s the other side of the coin – no one wants to unnecessarily restrict the rights of another person. Making a report is a serious matter. So what are the parameters to determine who is to be reported? We report those who pose a clear and present danger to themselves or others. Additionally, those people who are developmentally or intellectually disabled should not be registered gun owners.

As in the case of Dylann Roof, violent people don’t always come to the attention of the authorities. It appears that he had mental health and substance abuse issues, but it is not evident that he was under the care of a professional. The burden of prevention then falls to citizens. Citizens are to be whistle blowers if they see a preponderance of evidence that points to the potential for violence. It has been demonstrated that ordinary citizens do not want the responsibility of being a whistle blower. They often think that someone else will do it. Or they don’t want to get involved.

Please get involved. Notify the police if you suspect violent behavior. You are not required to inform the person a report has been made. It takes a village to ensure the safety of its members.