“...the fellow is 21, and likely out of reach of parents’ persuasion”
I read somewhere else that the gun was given to him (by dad) in December...around 6 months ago, which matches the headline of this thread. Dad might not have had persuasive control, but he may have been an enabler. I don’t know how long this guy was a drug abuser...but if he has had drug related run-ins with the law prior to Dad’s giving him that gun, Dad made a big mistake.
That's for sure. I'm on the "arm everybody" side of the spectrum, but that assumes or presupposes a certain degree of care and competence on the part of those armed. I wouldn't gift my own son or daughter a firearm, unless I had sound reason to believe they shared my reverence for life, and I knew from having gone shooting with them, that they handled a firearm with appropriate respect. About the same attitude I have toward gifting them a car. I want to be in the car and watch them drive, and when I think they pay enough attention, have enough courtesy, and have a handle on their anger, then I'll give them permission to drive without me in the car.
Dad is going to get nailed for giving him the gun. At the very least Dad will get sued.
I bet it was similar to the Lanza situation. I can picture this kid being distant and hard to talk to as he sunk into his twisted world. But then he perks up and seems more normal when the conversation turns to guns, wants to spend time with Dad and go shooting, etc. Family thinks hey finally a way to get this kid out his funk and teach him some responsibility. Bad choice.