When will the nation at large realize the plight of the current tragedies propagated by the mentally ill?
Just recently another mentally ill person bought guns legally and used them to do harm to themselves and others, at Northern Illinois University. My own late wife committed a similar tragedy (bought a gun took her life), and was not in her right mind at the time.
Too much suffering could be avoided if merchants were privy to information on those who are mentally ill and not viable candidates for gun purchases. I have written every presidential candidate to see if they will address this problem. Top that off with writing every major talk show and getting no response at all.
I am an avid hunter and supporter of the Second Amendment. Yet, something needs to be done to inform and protect families and the merchants selling guns to the mentally ill. Since 1968 the mentally ill have been legally prevented by federal law from purchasing guns. However, the only proviso for that is a section on the form that asks the person so buying the weapon if they are or have been under the care of a physician for mental illness. What person not in their right mind would tell the truth if they wanted to do themselves and or others harm?
Something needs to be done to protect us from our ill loved ones before it is too late and the tragedy repeats itself at places such as Virginia Tech and NIU throughout our great land.
Mark D. McCall, Ph.D, Augusta
Comments
By definition, anyone that shoots people without obvious provocation is mentally ill. With life's disappointments being what they are, all of us would technically be mentally ill at some time or another. Where do you draw the line, and who gets to enforce the line? Sorry for your loss.
I wonder if Mark D McCall,Ph.D realises that the shootings at Virginia Tech and NIU took place in "gun free zones." I would like to ask him what law would he like to propose that would prevent a criminal from commiting a criminal act ? You would think this fellow who holds a Ph,D would be a little smarter.I would surmise that the D in his name stands for DUMB***.
Now Mark I hate to say this but your proposal will not ever be taken seriously at least I hope not. Quite frankly there are alot of ill folks running around but there is alot more evil. Having gun control is not the answer; the criminals have proven they can get guns no matter what and a whole lot faster and cheaper than you or I could get them.
Thank you,retired army. I know that I am smart,I am also and always will be well armed also.Yes,the second could be changed but it would require two-thirds of congress to do that and would more than likely start a civil war,and besides that,Why should a felon or mentally ill person be permanently deprived of their RIGHTS arbitrarily ? Do you really think or believe that that would prevent a murderer from murdering ? The laws against murdering have yet to do that. Besides the less government intusion in my life the happier I am,Those GUN FREE ZONE laws that have been passed don't seem to be working all that well,No,not at all.As for the amount of gun violence in our country,Do you suppose that all those DRUG laws might have something to do with that ??? No,I don't think a national register of "such folks" would make any difference at all.Why try to put the burden of keeping you safe on goverment ??
PT, please tell me you're not using our famed liberal "slippery slope" argument that Johnsmith loves to dismiss our valid points with?
Do the statistics in the other countries include just murders by gun, or murders period? If I'm going to be murdered by some nutcase, I'd rather be shot dead than beaten to death with a frozen ham or some handy tool. It would really be annoying to be murdered and then the murder weapon eaten for dinner later in the day by the murderer.
It only takes about five minutes to check the national register to see if a gun purchaser has a police record and can not buy a gun, regardless of what lies they may tell on the application form. I see no reason that those who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness could not be added to tht register. This would not identify all the nuts running around these days, but would go a long way.
2 dead, 5 injured in Wendy's shooting today. The problem with the mentally ill argument is how to define mentally ill. Approximately 70% of all people suffer through some sort of clinical depression in their lives. Also, the mentally ill are no more apt to commit a crime than someone without a mental illness. I am more concerned about the drunk redneck and his gun, who gets mad when someone cuts him off in traffic. Let's face it, we need gun control in this country, and not just for the mentally ill. If you are a dumb redneck who refers to the mentally ill as "nuts" like Jack has done, then that should exclude you from owning any type of firearm.
I think a drunk redneck would tend to pull you out of your car and beat your a.., not shoot you. And being an armed pickup truck driver who enjoys a cold adult beverage or 6 I am offended at your hate speach. I would have expected someone liberal as yourself to be a little more sensitive to lableing a group of people.
liberal faith, your typewriter is all the weapon your type need. Stay hidden inside and we'll all be a lot safer. Gun control is hitting what you aim at.
When I was a younger man,I worked for wendys,It was against company policy to carry a firearm then,so I quit.Lets face it, gun control in this country is getting innocent people killed every day.Virginia Tech,NIU and today at a wendys...Don't let a liberal idiot decide YOUR fate.
Haha, just what we need. Everybody carrying guns.
Hahaha, I agree,It shouldn't just be criminals.
Adam you are among those that would continue to tell us that common sense in law enforcement is not permitted. Your flippant attitude is one that is dangerous in America. Not that you need to be silenced, only educated. What you lack is education and good character. You would be the one leading us into a terrible folly (such as Pickett's charge) by burying your head in the sand to the facts surrounding both massacres at Virginia Tech and NIU. Both murderers were ajudicated mentally ill. Both legally purchased guns, both killed others and then themselves. Why would you attack someone who's life was terribly changed by a lack of common sense the current laws have? You lack decorum sir and I challenge you to rise to the occasion and at least be respectful of others rights to freedom from attack and severe emotional pain. I submit that if you had family, friends or otherwise so affected your attitude would be a very different one. I myself experienced something very similar to the writer of this letter and I wish him peace and healing.
sick and tired.You sir,Are a Liar.Name me one instance,just ONE,where any of these gun control laws prevented the death of an innocent at the hands of a murdering criminal. And why should I show any respect at all for a utopian idiot that desires to place my life at risk.Go hug a tree or sing kumbaya if you like and leave the serious matters to the real men.
Here's and Idea for you. Have what Jack suggested in his post. Why not have the metally ill on the registered list of those not able to purchase firearms? Let them be able to appeal the decision to withhold the purchase if they feel so inclined.
And just so you know,sick and tired,I blame you and your spineless ilk for the deaths of these innocents. Disarmed because of your childish notions,You have blood on your hands.
Again adam you show your lack of decorum and good taste. I am a member of the NRA a former combat veteran and avid outdoorsman and hunter. Tree hugger? liberal? You sir are the pretender. I have honorably served do not question my loyalty or manhood.
Yeah,right,The criminals are going to line up to obey that law just like the other 20,000 they disregard.What a FOOL you are.
Ah,I am tired of your lack of common sense. So what,You couldn't figure out how to avoid the draft? Well,Boo-Hoo.How about being and honorable citizen instead of a G.I.bulletstopper.And what kind of man seeks to disarm another man.In germany 60 something years ago,they were called "Nazi's"
What you lack in decorum you make up for in your ignorance. I refuse to continue down this path with you adam. May God grant you peace that evades you.
As I previously stated.YOU deserve nothing but my complete and utter contempt. And your chickening out only because you can't abide this "ignorant" person whuppin on you over your total lack of morals and ethics. I have the peace of God and he knows I am telling you the righteous truth.Not my fault if the truth hurts you.
Adam I will pray for you tonight. The peace of God is not in you from your statements. God does not judge us as harshly as you have me. Oh and truth is its own defense, it will survive the ravages of time and tyrants. I have never been afraid of the truth it has always been liberating. Your truth lies in anger and the only thing I see from you is the bitterness of reaping the whirlwind. I pray for you that you will allow God some place in your life to grant you peace.
"keep guns away from the mentally ill" uh... ya think??
Baroness......... sorry... still laughing....got tears in my eyes.
I'm not the one who is "sick and tired" I suggest you pray for yourself.I don't presume to question god's judgements,I would suggest that you don't either.sadly,from your posts,It's simple to see that the truth is not in you.Because you seek control over others.and that simply is not your place.I am not angry at you.I am more or less really disgusted by your perceived superiority.And although I have been harsh in my correspondence to you,I am sure you received worse spankings as a child and benefited somewhat from those experiences.I hope perhaps you will take a second look at the true meaning of freedom,and restrain yourself from trying to take it away from others.
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