In the past couple of years we have witnessed an alarming number high profile mass murders perpetuated by those with histories of serious mental illness. From Sandy Hook, New Jersey to Aurora, Colorado, and more recently to Oregon those with apparently severe mental illness have been able to obtain high powered rifles and astounding amounts of ammunition enabling them to act out their delusions and/or homicidal and suicidal thoughts in a public place on innocent people. (Adam Lanza's mother bought the guns used not only to kill her, but also the children and their teachers at Sandy Hook.)
As a nation we are horrified and wring our hands about what can be done. First of all let us acknowledge that the vast number of seriously mental ill people are not violent. Indeed, they are more likely to be victims of crime that to perpetrate crimes. Second, any mental health professional, including forensic psychiatrists, will acknowledge the difficulty in determining that a particular individual is dangerous and might commit such crimes. Although when a mental health worker believes that someone is a danger to self and/or others, that person can be committed to a mental health facility, usually 72 hours, for an evaluation. However, given the state of mental health care even those who come to the attention of mental health professionals may slip through the cracks and fail to receive a competent evaluation.
Persons who have been in and out of mental health facilities and have long histories of serious illness coupled with non-compliance with prescribed medication and failure to maintain a relationship with out-patient clinics should not have access to fire arms of any kind. While their names might appear on the government "no sale" list and they may be denied access to guns from a legitimate dealer, anyone, no matter how ill, can obtain military style weapons from gun shows, estate sales, and individuals. No questions asked, except perhaps age, and a seriously mentally ill, often delusional (believing things that are not real), perhaps hallucinating (seeing things that are not real) can obtain weapons and rounds of ammunition. They typically gain entry to a public place, like a movie theater or small town elementary school, and commit mass murder.
The madness of allowing anyone with a few hundred dollars to purchase guns will have to be addressed before such horrific incidences will stop! Without adequate mental health care and improved gun regulation, each one of us will continue to be in danger!
