General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If we don't focus on the mentally ill how are background checks supposed to work? [View all]backscatter712
(26,355 posts)The NRA and right-wing always steers the conversation to mental illness by having their shills in the media howl about "the crazies".
It's a classic manipulative tactic, designed to steer conversation away from gun safety regulation that might cut into gun manufacturer profitability, and towards a convenient scapegoat.
FACT: Most mentally ill are not violent. In fact, they're far more likely to be victims of violence.
FACT: Most violent people are not mentally ill.
FACT: You can't use mental illness to distinguish violent people from everyone else. If you think that's wrong, SHOW ME HOW. How are you going to use mental health diagnoses, psychological analysis, and so on, on large numbers of people, and have a rate of success even slightly higher than rolling dice?
But by all means, continue to scapegoat and stigmatize mental illness, and make hell of the lives of the most vulnerable among us, so you can keep your stupid fucking toys. Just understand that it won't do jack fucking shit to actually lower the death toll.
Watch John Oliver and be educated.