There are a few things that come up from gun enthusiasts when it comes to discussing the incredibly high rate of violence committed by guns of any sort. One of the common responses is to say that if we solve the mental health issues in our country, we will solve the gun issues. Or something.
I think it's made in two different meanings. One meaning says that disallowing the mentally ill from access to guns will mean that only mentally fit individuals will be able to get any sort of firearm they please with relatively little oversight from any government institution.
The other meaning says that we have a mental health crisis, and it is part of what is responsible for the gun violence we face. If we can do something to provide the proper treatment for the mentally ill, this argument seems to say, then we will have far fewer incidents involving these tools of modern warfare.
Okay. Let's say we do that. We somehow solve the issue by regulating it as a mental health issue instead of regulating it as a gun issue.
Now what?
1. Provide adequate mental health treatment to all Americans for reasonable cost.
That's a lot of law making. That's a lot of new costs to be agreed upon in our divided congress. Imagine Republicans voting for spending for the mentally ill right now. Difficult? It's a challenge for me to imagine. Or, well, I guess I can only imagine it.
2. Write and pass legislation which identifies the specific mental conditions which preclude one from owning a gun.
That's a lot of law making... (Everything up there)
Making a list like this might lead to a major change in how mental health issues are diagnosed.
I come from a family which has a history of suicide, depression, and extreme drug use. Family history is something that seems to be frequently taken into account when discussing someone's mental health. That's the only reason I mention that.
I am also diagnosed as epileptic and ADHD.
Would I pass muster? What would be my recourse if I wasn't allowed to have a weapon? Could I sue the federal government? Could I appeal to an industry lobbying group to attempt to get that specific condition removed from that list?
What about minors who are diagnosed with something? When they reach 18, can they get another diagnosis?
What about the possibility of just doctor shopping until I find a good NRA doctor? Don't you think the NRA would have a list of doctors who would be more likely to err on the side of the gun lobby?
I want to also imagine that we have agreed upon some list.
Now it comes time to, literally, confiscate the weapons from those people who have previously been diagnosed with those conditions, because we have determined that they are a serious safety threat, and should be disallowed by law from owning such weaponry.
Since we have already determined they are a risk, do we have the legal right to take their weapons from them? How will they appeal this? If someone had such a problem, wouldn't they just not disclose this?
Would this list be public?
I'd love to hear how you think the process of passing and carrying out such legislation would look from the outside, and if you think it would ever have a chance of going anywhere.