Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller declined to say how Campbell got the guns that have been recovered in the investigation of the fatal shootings at Bridgewater. But she told The Times-Dispatch that he obtained them legally, had them in his possession legally and that the weapons had not been reported stolen. Geller also said the guns were purchased legally in Virginia, but she would not say whether Campbell bought them or someone else did. A search of court records in Hanover and Rockingham counties turned up no evidence of anything that would have prevented Campbell from legally having a gun. [More]
So "background checks" are no guarantee?
I suppose "we" could always impose insane, totalitarian "Red Queen Laws," or, here's an idea: If credible, behavior/action-based evidence exists that a person poses a danger to himself and/or others, investigate it, obtain a warrant if probable cause exists, perform a lawful intervention, and then afford full due process equivalent to a jury trial, with the burden of proof on the state to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, with appropriate humane treatment and/or custodial measures if it does.
Of course, it's not perfect. Who or what is?
If you have a better idea, I'm listening and, if you really do, would support it.
[Via Mack H]
