I understand the pressure you must be under from Democrats and many Republicans to pass some sort of gun ban after the recent tragedy in Florida. It is important to keep the focus on the underlying problem: untreated mental illness. The shooter displays two symptoms that indicate schizophrenia: depression and hallucinations (the voices telling him to commit this monstrous crime).
These tragedies were rare before the 1970s, when efforts to destroy the state mental hospital systems began to empty out the existing hospitals and make it difficult to involuntarily commit those with serious mental illnesses BEFORE they started murdering people. Congressional hearings about mass murder should examine what states can do to provide the mental health care that they used to do, but do not do now.
Very Truly Yours,
Clayton E. Cramer
Depression with auditory hallucinations could also be psychotic depression - distinct from schizophrenia.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, they should do a better job. As long as they don't remove gun rights from anyone who ever took or is taking Prozac, as an example.