General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I have a brother with schizophrenia and I am sick of the bigotry against the mentally ill [View all]etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)(I make no secret about my personal opposition to guns, my position on ALL folk that are gun enthusiasts has evolved).
I do not believe in registries for folk with mental illnesses ... period. It is well studied and well documented that people with mental illnesses are no more prone to violence than the general populace.
In general the use and abuse of drugs/alcohol are far greater predictor of violence than mental illness is (I am not suggesting that those that drink alcohol are violent, but alcohol abuse and addiction a greater predictor than mental illness).
I think the NRA is clearly being disingenuous in their campaign and unduly stigmatizing the mentally ill. It deflects from larger issues associated with guns and attempts to discourage any talks related to common sense regulations associated with guns. There is ground between free and unfettered access to all guns and ammunition and banning guns.
Clearly, databases of the mentally ill will further stigmatize the illness and will likely have the effect of reducing those seeking treatment Do you really think that people would be inclined to seek help if the help will land them on a database?
The issues of mental health and guns are two separate and distinct issues, they do occasional intersect in tragic and horrible ways (I count suicide by gun as a tragic intersection , as well) ... what form of due process will actually be helpful in this scenario?