Over the past few years, we’ve been hearing about many mass shootings that could have been prevented. Ever since, the government has been trying to link and explain why those killings took place and what can be done to make sure that something like this will never happen again, or at least not in such frequency and without innocent victims like children.
Politicians and various advocacy groups are divided on exactly how tight the gun laws should be. One thing that many people seem to agree on is the mental health side of the argument. Many people, including I at one point, believe that people with some sort of mental illness are responsible for such horrible crimes, therefore, records of mental health should be examined before a gun can be bought by an individual.
Courier-Post published an article on current gun laws in certain states and whether mental records are submitted for gun check. New Jersey is described as having the strictest gun laws, yet neglecting to include mental health records in their check.
I strongly believe that mental state of an individual should be examined before one purchases a deadly weapon. However, even this can be ineffective if not properly used. There are certain people that once diagnosed with a mental illness, will forever carry it. But what about those people that do not develop a certain condition until later in life?
I believe that mental health records should not only be submitted by each state as part of a gun check procedure, but one should get a mental examination within a week or so of gun purchasing. There should be a yearly mental examination for all individuals, but specifically for those who are gun owners. People believe that chronic mental illness is a cause of violent tendencies in individuals, but we must also consider depression. People who experienced an emotional event could have violent tendencies and if for some reason they decide to go buy a gun, then I’m sure they will pass the check if there are no previous diagnosis.
When the government decides to rewrite our current gun laws, I don’t think they should be stricter, but more efficient. Mental health records should be constantly updated because if one individual passes a gun check from the mental health perspective one year, what’s the guarantee that this same person will pass the check next year? Aggression and anger is as much of a contributor to gun violence as a mental illness, and if guns will be available in the society, then mental health services should be too. Because it seems like in our society guns and violence are our new coping mechanisms.
Social Policy 
I agree that legislative gun control is not likely to significantly address the problem. Even an assault weapon ban, for example, does not address the guns already legally owned by citizens. Violence is the real issue that needs to be addressed. Evidence suggests a disparity in the number of gun deaths in America and those of other countries with equally high rates of gun ownership.
I agree that mental health checks should be done along with background checks in order to own gun. I am not aware of what a person needs to do for a background check to own a gun. If the person buying the gun pays for the background check or the store selling the gun. In saying this if a background check and a mental health check is required it will cost more money. There probablly will be places that will take short cuts to sell guns and not do any form of check peirod. We can not track all purchases of guns either. Individuals are selling guns privately to other individuals so no form of check is being done. The is issue is paying for the checks which is going to cost a lot of money ,and a lot of people are going to disagree and vote down any bill that suggest this.
We truely do need to find an effective way to address this issue. “Guns don’t kill people, people do.” I completely agree with the suggestions you mentioned. I could see psychological exams on ever human being helping the situation. It would be great if extensive background checks (including mental health) could minimize gun violence. Like you mentioned, so many people have mental illnesses that have never even been diagnosed. The reality is that people are going to find ways around whatever laws are put in place–mentally ill or not. Think of all the Americans who already own guns. Legal gun ownership does not secure the possession of the gun and its usage.
I also agree that mental health checks and background checks should be done in order to own a gun. With that said, I do not think that it will solve anything. People now a days can get a gun without purchasing it. I wish we could find a way to fix everything, without it backfiring in the long run!
I could not agree more! This is close to home for me. My sister committed suicide by firearm 2 years ago. Would stricter gun control laws saved her? Maybe not, the gun was owned by her late husband.
However guns are the leading mode of suicide. All of the focus on on laws to prevent the violence should be focused on mental health issues. Whether a person is suicidal or homicidal the root of the problem is not an inanimate object such as a gun. Mental health is being ignored and budgets are cutting them out. Congress and the Senate would be better serving us if mental health was the topic of discussion and legislature.