Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Try not stigmatizing mental illness to the point that people are ashamed to get treatment. I know, it's more of a social change than a new law, but it's a start.
The thing is, no expansion of gun control is going to prevent these mass shootings. Most mental illness goes undiagnosed until a crisis happens, then usually, it's too late. Florida has the Baker Act that can institutionalize a mentally ill person who is a danger to himself and others, but not indefinitely.
Some folks say if people had guns on campus, that the shootings wouldn't happen, that it would somehow be a deterrant. But, would it? The people who walk into these places in order to shoot as many people as they can before being killed themselves want to die. They want to take as many people with them as they can.
It's a natural response to want to "do something about it", but what? The lion's share of legal gun owners don't walk into a school, or a McDonald's or a post office and shoot people. What is the defining factor here? Mental illness. How do we balance individual rights with the safety of society as a whole? This is the discussion the US should be having, instead of calling each other names and pointing fingers.
No law is going to cure someone of mental illness. No expansion of background checks is going to stop an undiagnosed mentally ill person from getting his/her hands on a firearm. And what about privacy and HIPAA laws? Doctor/patient privilege? Instead of a knee jerk response of "do something" or "do nothing" a cogent discussion needs to start on preventing these kinds of tragedies at a treatment level. And that starts with the families of the mentally ill.
Last edited by carterstamp; 10-12-2015 at 10:34 AM..
The thing is, no expansion of gun control is going to prevent these mass shootings. Most mental illness goes undiagnosed until a crisis happens, then usually, it's too late. Florida has the Baker Act that can institutionalize a mentally ill person who is a danger to himself and others, but not indefinitely.
Some folks say if people had guns on campus, that the shootings wouldn't happen, that it would somehow be a deterrant. But, would it? The people who walk into these places in order to shoot as many people as they can before being killed themselves want to die. They want to take as many people with them as they can.
It's a natural response to want to "do something about it", but what? The lion's share of legal gun owners don't walk into a school, or a McDonald's or a post office and shoot people. What is the defining factor here? Mental illness. How do we balance individual rights with the safety of society as a whole? This is the discussion the US should be having, instead of calling each other names and pointing fingers.
No law is going to cure someone of mental illness. No expansion of background checks is going to stop an undiagnosed mentally ill person from getting his/her hands on a firearm. And what about privacy and HIPAA laws? Doctor/patient privilege? Instead of a knee jerk response of "do something" or "do nothing" a cogent discussion needs to start on preventing these kinds of tragedies at a treatment level. And that starts with the families of the mentally ill.
i couldnt agree with you more. and we do need to do something about people who are mentally ill, but we also have to avoid violating their rights in the process. and you are right, it does start with the family, but unfortunately they are generally too close to the problem, and want to avoid issues.
it is a challenge to be sure, but one that can be met.
i couldnt agree with you more. and we do need to do something about people who are mentally ill, but we also have to avoid violating their rights in the process. and you are right, it does start with the family, but unfortunately they are generally too close to the problem, and want to avoid issues.
it is a challenge to be sure, but one that can be met.
the problem, as i see it, is how to do this without violating the rights of the people. and not just those that are mentally ill either, but those without a mental illness. and i wont apologize for supporting the rights of law abiding citizens.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
