Roseburg shooter turned away by firearms instructor who thought he was too "weird"

[dixiegrrrrl]

He sought to register for training in 2012 or 2013 at Seven 4 Para, a private self-defense and law enforcement training academy in Torrance, California, but Eloy Way, president and head instructor for the center, said he sent Harper-Mercer away.

"We wanted him to take a beginner safety course and he was trying to tell me that he already had experience with firearms and I didn't get a good feeling about him, so I turned him down," Way said.

"He was just kind of a weird guy and seemed kind of spoiled, immature," Way said. "He was a little bit too anxious to get high-level training and there was no reason for it."

https://news.vice.com/article/oregon-authorities-say-campus-gunman-died-by-suicide-after-police-shootout?utm_source=vicenewstwitter

found in bottom half of this news story.

[pipoman]

1. I've never known a firearms instructor who didn't turn a few people away for the same reason...

[gratuitous]

2. There's no requirement to report that, I take it?

I wonder if that should be changed? I realize trainers aren't licensed psychologists, but if they turn down a paying student, wouldn't it be useful if it generated a report to law enforcement?

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. That's a sticky wicket.

LOTS of weird people acting weirdly every day.
but no laws broken, little budgeting for even the most die hard police to follow up on "weird" behavior that breaks no laws.
Not too sure I would be in favor of chasing people down for what they "might do". and no means to prevent them from doing it.

What seems to be followed up on today is a "social media" comment that the FBI is taking seriously:

FBI, ATF WARN OF THREAT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST 'UNIVERSITY NEAR PHILADELPHIA'

In an email, the FBI stated, "Out of an abundance of caution, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office notified local colleges and universities
of a social media posting which threatened violence at a Philadelphia-area college or university for Monday, October 5.

No specific college or university was identified in the posting. We encourage students, faculty, and employees at area colleges and universities to follow the guidance of their campus security officials. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate threats of violence, and, as always, we ask the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement."

http://6abc.com/news/temple-fbi-atf-warn-of-threat-of-violence-against-university-near-philadelphia/1016167/

Seems safe to assume they are pursuing the author of whatever comment that got their attention.

[bettyellen]

4. there should be a system of certification. sorry, everyone should not be handed a gun- and if

trained professionals think there is an issue, it should be raised. Everyone should get references, and some should come from professionals who will spot the red flags. Rubber stamping is a problem. With great power, some responsibility must be given too.