Let's go to the experts:
Solutions that focus on reducing crimes by the mentally ill will make only a small dent in the nation’s rate of gun-related murders, ranging from mass killings to shootings that claim a single victim. It’s not just that the mentally ill represent a minority of the country’s population; it’s also that the overlap between mental illness and violent behavior is poor.
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Those who suffer from mental illness are much more likely to harm themselves than other people.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/maga...-would-do-little-to-end-gun-violence-20130124
Another:
Although the recent mass killings (in Aurora, Colo., Tucson, Ariz., and at Virginia Tech) were committed by young men believed to have severe mental illness, the vast majority of those with mental illness are no more likely to commit acts of violence, and are no more likely to want to inflict harm, than the general public. As the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Thomas Insell, said, those with severe mental illness, known as SMI, are more likely to be violent, particularly during a psychotic episode with paranoid delusions, but "mental illness contributes very little to the overall rate of violence in the community. Most people with SMI are not violent, and most violent acts are not committed by people with SMI."
Link: http://articles.courant.com/2013-01...30125_1_mental-illness-mental-health-disorder
Another:
Mental illness is the cause of fewer mass shootings than the public perceives, Appelbaum said. "If you look at the lists that are put together of those kinds of events, they are primarily family and workplace violence episodes," he said.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/mental-health-gun-violence_n_2583986.html
As we debate the steps to reducing gun violence in the society a couple points need to be understood: 1. The link between violent crime and mental illness is weak, and 2. Mental health professionals are poor at predicting anyone’s propensity for any specific behavior, including homicide.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gordon-livingston/guns-and-mental-health_b_2654240.html
And this one raises a good point:
Another complication of keeping guns away from people experiencing mental health problems is that crises come and go.Sometimes people have mental illnesses and gun access can be dangerous. Sometimes they get better.
http://www.healthpolicysolutions.or...nd-right-undermine-gun-bill-on-mental-health/
But lets listen to non-mental health, non aware of relevant firearms laws commenter enfeugo instead!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gordon-livingston/guns-and-mental-health_b_2654240.html
And this one raises a good point:
Another complication of keeping guns away from people experiencing mental health problems is that crises come and go.Sometimes people have mental illnesses and gun access can be dangerous. Sometimes they get better.
http://www.healthpolicysolutions.or...nd-right-undermine-gun-bill-on-mental-health/
But lets listen to non-mental health, non aware of relevant firearms laws commenter enfeugo instead!
I think that's a little extreme. Can't we find somewhere in the middle?
Texas doesn't have the problems Chiraq has. Lots of people carry guns down there.
I don't think that we can just pass laws, take a photo-op in front of TV cameras and hope the problem goes away. We need enforcement of the laws on the books first and foremost.
