III – How we could solve the problem :

Gun violence is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem. It requires evidence-

based, multifaceted solutions. Psychology

It can make important contributions to policies that prevent gun violence. Toward this
end, in February 2013 the American Psychological Association commissioned this
report by a panel of experts to convey research-based conclusions and
recommendations (and to identify gaps in such knowledge) on how to reduce the
incidence of gun violence — whether by homicide, suicide, or mass shootings —
nationwide.

The USA need to Expand access to high quality, emotional, and mental
health supports and address the impact of trauma. Too often gun violence is
blamed on mental illness, when in fact in most cases people who carry out shootings
do not have a diagnosable mental illness. However, throughout a community,
members often recognize individuals who are disconnected and/or otherwise in need
of additional supports and services. It is critical to reduce the stigma associated with
mental health needs and support the children, friends, family members, and
neighbors in seeking and obtaining appropriate supports. For this to work,
communities need resources to assess and connect individuals at a high risk for
harming themselves or others to high quality, emotional, and mental health supports
and services, particularly in critical times of crisis and high need. Further, trauma can
have damaging effects on learning, behavior, and health across the life course,
especially during key developmental stages such as early childhood and
adolescence, and can increase the risk for multiple forms of violence. They need to
do more to recognize trauma, develop trauma-informed protocols, including for law
enforcement, and support healing and treatment for individuals who have
experienced or are experiencing trauma, including from exposure to violence in any
form.

Prediction and Prevention at the Individual Level

Although it is important to recognize that most people suffering from a mental illness are not
dangerous, for those persons at risk for violence due to mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or
feelings of desperation, mental health treatment can often prevent gun violence. Policies and
programs that identify and provide treatment for all persons suffering from a mental illness
should be a national priority. Urgent attention must be paid to the current level of access to
mental health services in the United States; such access is woefully insufficient. Additionally,
it should be noted that behavioral threat assessment is becoming a standard of care for
preventing violence in schools, colleges, and the workplace and against government and
other public officials. Threat assessment teams gather and analyze information to assess if a
person poses a threat of violence or self-harm, and if so, take steps to intervene.
What does work is gun licensing.

It’s already in effect in 12 states and DC. In Massachusetts, you first have to
take a firearm safety course then submit a permit application at a police
department. They directly check local law enforcement and mental health
agencies, contact references, and run your fingerprints.

It’s a real, thorough background check. So it reliably keeps guns away from
the same people background checks attempt to filter out.

The process also takes about three weeks. Background checks take an
average of 108 seconds. If someone is going through a suicidal episode or is
a domestic abuser without a record, they could get a gun very quickly and
harm themselves or others. With licensing, that person would be delayed
and possibly deterred from getting a gun.