[ultimoo]

I understand everyone is upset about what this terrorist did, so am I.

However, we should be cautious about making statements about genetics. Apart from there not being any major scientific research behind it, it also leads to disturbing effects like the state detaining blood relatives of someone that commits crime because they will be more at risk of committing crimes in the future, thought-crimes, etc.

[Bromskloss]

> this terrorist

Do we know this? Do we know what his motivation was?

[RealGeek]

Does his motivations make it any less terrorizing for the victims?

[Bromskloss]

It strikes terror (in the sense of _fear_) into the victims there and then all the same, sure. I was talking about whether or not it constitutes _terrorism_, though. I mean, it's terrorism if the purpose is to spread fear in a way that will further some cause, but not every killing is terrorism, right?

[flukus]

Not yet, but considering the sheer amount of guns in his hotel and home plus the explosives I'm willing to bet something motivated him more than mental illness.

[Bromskloss]

I'm afraid I don't follow. Are you referring to something particular? (Sorry for being thick!)

[flukus]

They found explosives and chemicals to make more at his home: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-03/las-vegas-shooting-gun...

He's not just a random crazy person that bought a gun and went on a spree, there was a lot of planning involved, so he's probably a terrorist of some sort.

[dragonwriter]

Deliberately planning mass murder doesn't make you a terrorist, just a mass murderer; terrorism is defined by a very specific kind of motivation that is far from the only motivation for planned mass murder.