Do we need more gun ownership restrictions or just better mental health services and checks?

[Scuba]

Both.

[hlthe2b]

1. There is a minority of gun owners who are so obsessive and extreme that

NOTHING matters more to them than their guns--not their children's safety, not their livelihood... nothing....

These are those who create the horrific conspiracy theories to deny what is happening to children in mass murders--e.g., the Sandy Hook deniers and those who simply spend every moment of every day on no other issue than guns.

I think this phenomenon ought to be studied in terms of a mental health issue, frankly.

Unfortunately, it this extreme group that could not be addressed via any kind of mental health exemption to gun ownership, making sensible gun control measures the only option. My just saying this is enough to make those of that extremist fringe so angry that they will want to shoot me and others who might agree. If THAT is not an example of mental derangement or disorder, I don't know what is.

[flamin lib]

2. Try this:

Universal background checks.

Mandatory safe storage.

Mandatory safety training.

National registration.

Local law enforcement approval to carry with justification of need.

License to purchase by local law enforcement.

No open carry.

Ban sales of new manufacture/import of all semiautomatic firearms with removable magazines.

There's more, but this would be a start.

[Glaug-Eldare]

3. Who's the picture from? (nt)

[Paladin]

4. The "better mental health services" thing is a long-time gun militant distraction.

Of course, better mental health coverage is badly needed. But never doubt the reason that the pro-gun rights people use it as an argument: as always, they're seeking to take the spotlight off the toxic effect of so many firearms being in the hands of so many who shouldn't have them.

[De Leonist]

5. I hate Mass Shootings...

Every time someone commits one it actually hurts the "Mentally Ill" by causing even more Stigma. A good chunk of that is thrown at us needlessly by both sides. The fact is while many talk about Mental Illness in these situations very few actually understand what it is to live with one or even what constitutes one and what doesn't. One thing I really wish both sides would do is check their facts and their own biases on the matter since we're often getting thrown under the bus for political convenience when these things happen.

[Matrosov]

6. A complete firearms ban should be the ultimate goal n/t

[GP6971]

7. For starters, both. n/t

[ncjustice80]

9. What gets me.

I don t understand how they allow a pro gun forum on DU. I mean, isnt the elimination of murder machines a progressive cause? Why do they have a whole forum dedicated to RW gun humping trolls???