another day, another mass shooting

CTScoutmom
Tue, 28 Aug 2018 20:39:55 +0000

the same mental illness prohibitions might also lower the suicide by firearm rate.

Not by much. Suicide is generally an impulsive action, more likely to be taken by those with untreated mental illness than those under treatment - and it is those under treatment who would be restricted from access. Prohibitions based on mental health treatment would not only cause some to avoid treatment, but would infringe on the rights of those who are a risk. It is not the mental illness that is the problem, it is the manifestation of specific symptoms. People with Epilepsy face driving restrictions based on how well their epilepsy is controlled - typically they need to be seizure free for 6 months. Someone with a mental illness that is under control, and has no history of violent episodes should face no more restrictions than an average person.

That said, I would like to see most guns removed from most homes. Not because of the incidents like this (as much as it might prevent such an incident), but because of the suicides and accidents due to poor training, and failure to secure weapons properly.