I wanted to post this in here so those of us that support the 2nd Amendment could discuss how to address the problem of mental health and firearms.
When it comes to high visible news and especially "mass shootings" we in the firearms community point out the mental health aspect that most of the perpetrators have. The woman that shot up the Christian school recently was under care for mental health related problems. The shooter that shot up the bank recently was being treated for mental health related problems. Yet both were able to buy a firearm or multiple firearms.
Many point out that NICS is supposed to screen for mental health problems but that's only if someone put them in the system, but it's also not that clear. The only way a person can be put in the NICS system for mental health is if they are judicially put on there or they are committed to an institution. That means simply being treated is not a criteria for being put on the list.
After all that, here's the question. We see that there is a mental health aspect to many if not all mass shooters at least, but they are not enough to have the person committed or appear before a judge. Is there anything we can do to limit their access to firearm while being treated?
Can a family member request them to be put on the NICS list based upon current treatment they are receiving?
Should a doctor be able to put a person on the NICS list for the treatment they are receiving?
If a doctor or family member can request a person be added can another doctor refute the recommendation of another doctor?
I know this is a touchy subject due to Rights like the 2nd but also the 4th, but if a common aspect of many shooters is mental health while some are even seeking treatment, but still murdering people, is there more than can be done, that we in the shooting community can live with. If there is not, can we get the common person to understand why we point out mental health issues, but don't have any real solutions on how to deal with it?
When it comes to high visible news and especially "mass shootings" we in the firearms community point out the mental health aspect that most of the perpetrators have. The woman that shot up the Christian school recently was under care for mental health related problems. The shooter that shot up the bank recently was being treated for mental health related problems. Yet both were able to buy a firearm or multiple firearms.
Many point out that NICS is supposed to screen for mental health problems but that's only if someone put them in the system, but it's also not that clear. The only way a person can be put in the NICS system for mental health is if they are judicially put on there or they are committed to an institution. That means simply being treated is not a criteria for being put on the list.
After all that, here's the question. We see that there is a mental health aspect to many if not all mass shooters at least, but they are not enough to have the person committed or appear before a judge. Is there anything we can do to limit their access to firearm while being treated?
Can a family member request them to be put on the NICS list based upon current treatment they are receiving?
Should a doctor be able to put a person on the NICS list for the treatment they are receiving?
If a doctor or family member can request a person be added can another doctor refute the recommendation of another doctor?
I know this is a touchy subject due to Rights like the 2nd but also the 4th, but if a common aspect of many shooters is mental health while some are even seeking treatment, but still murdering people, is there more than can be done, that we in the shooting community can live with. If there is not, can we get the common person to understand why we point out mental health issues, but don't have any real solutions on how to deal with it?