Gun legislation? Three proposals should shoot to the top of the list: A law requiring that if you see something, then say something, and a law providing restraining orders against those displaying red flag signs, and a law making it an offense to threaten great harm to another.
I think of child abuse, and how in some places, it is a crime not to report it. If we have laws requiring you to blow the whistle if you see child abuse, why should be not also have such laws concerning guns and threats and violence? If you see something dangerous, report it. If there is a law requiring it, you are going to feel a whole lot more obligated to turn someone in. If you know someone has obtained a gun illegally (including knowing of a convict who has obtained a gun), then you should be obligated by law to report it. Lives are at stake; You have a moral obligation, regardless whether there is a law, but make it a law.
Restraining orders? If we can see the need for restraining orders to protect spouses and others, shouldn't we also see that such restraining orders should be used against those who make terroristic threats, or who display very violent and hateful characteristics? If they have guns, their guns should be removed from them. If they don't yet have guns, these people should be placed on a list of those ineligible to buy guns.
Terroristic threats? There are such laws, but they should be more common -- and more commonly enforced. If it is a crime to step into a move theater and falsely yell, "Fire," should there not be a law against threatening to kill or maim or greatly harm someone? True, many of us make idle threats, but if there were a law against them -- and we knew it would be enforced -- such threats would be fewer. Though we might think there is no harm in such comments, they can and sometimes do lead a person down a path to more aggressive behavior.
(A few lines were added to this blog Feb. 21, 2018.)
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