In America, gun issues and mental illnesses have been on the same wavelength for years. How many ways can these two very complicated topics be linked? Some think that they have no correlationa but people can argue that the two are very much attached. What’s the solution? How can there be one if the country is so divided on the issues because of pride, are the lives of our own citizens less important than being right?
According to the New York Times, “The United States has 270 million guns and had
90 mass shooters from 1966 to 2012,” and “No other country has more than 46 million guns or 18 mass shooters.” So there is a gun problem in America, there’s no denying it. The problem lies in who is allowed to own and use them. The guns themselves, sure, aren’t the issue. In the right hands, guns can save lives of our families, friends and communities.
One article from Concealed Nation explains how a woman who never wanted a gun in her life, was saved by one. Susan Gonzalez was a victim of a home invasion. She and her husband were shot by their intruders before she had the courage shoot back. She says, “Guns saved my life and I was against guns. I now carry.” This is a perfect example of how guns can be helpful, but if mental illness was present during this attack, there would be a different discussion. Creators.com spoke to Criminologist Gary Kleck who, “estimates that Americans use guns for defensive purposes 1.2 million times each year.” Not all shootings are created equal.
Mental Illnesses are usually treated if severe, but how can we always know that someone is suffering from a mental illness without going through an extensive search? What if there are people who suffer from issues but have never told anyone? A mental illness can range from anxiety disorders to an eating disorder and from schizophrenia to all types of depression. Of course there are levels and some more than others lead to dangerous behaviors but if you knew someone who had a chemical imbalance would you trust them with a gun wholeheartedly?
In reality, guns aren’t always obtained legally or truthfully. Except in one of the most current cases, The Parkland Shooter, Nikolas Cruz bought 10 rifles legally; yes, legally. In article USA Today tells us, “Cruz cleared an instant background check via the FBI criminal database.” All the bases must’ve been covered then, no criminal record, he’s over the age of 18, he should be allowed to own a semi automatic rifle. Something that wasn’t taken into consideration was that Cruz was deeply disturbed.
President Trump is right, he should have been reported, and he was! These legalities don’t always go the way we need them to. According to BuzzFeed News, Ben Bennight, a YouTuber reported Cruz to the FBI after this comment was left on his YouTube page. “I’m going to be a professional school shooter,” a comment left by Nikolas Cruz.
In a perfect world, every act of mental illness would be documented so the proper party can determine who can own guns. Guns aren’t the problem, people are the problem. The right amount of research, training and time can land a gun
into the right hands. Are there too many fine lines to really give access of guns, especially semi automatic guns, to anyone who passes the current standards? Guns are reality, but there has to be a better way we give access to them in America.
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Rachel studied journalism at Brigham Young University-Idaho and is a freelance writer and content author/ designer. Although her passion is within sports writing, she lends her talent to also researching and writing about impactful causes such as the gun safety movement.