One ignored the Cuckoo's Nest

Are you mental?

I hate to beat a dead horse, bad choice of words maybe, but it seems to me there really is nothing to do about people with any kind of mental illness, including myself, buying guns.  I've said it once, I'll say it again.  I don't think people dealing with any kind of mental instability, whether it be depression, manic depression, bi-polar or what have you, SHOULD be owning a gun, including ME.  I would not sell ME a gun.  Now can I go hunting with a buddy or target shooting with a buddy if that's the case?  Sure.  I can borrow a gun for the day.  For someone in a state of bi-polar or depression, to have a gun handy is just a formula for disaster.

The Cafe Racer shootings may have happened because this society needs to address this issue. I think everything happens for a reason.  Unfortunately in this country bad things have to happen in order for things to change.  I don't want to add any gun laws.  That's not the answer.  I think everyone would agree that a mental condition is grounds for discussion however.

There are different laws in different states that deal with mentally ill patients being involuntarily detained.
Below is a little info about how the law is here in Washington State.  I had no idea someone could be involuntarily committed.  Luckily they do have a screening process so 2/3 go home.  Would that screening process have worked with Ian Stawicki, the Cafe Racer shooter? His family knew of his issues AND they knew he bought multiple guns.  I'm not placing blame on the family but it seems this could have been avoided.
Excerpt from NW News take on Cafe Racer Shooter

If Ian Stawicki was as ill as his family says, how come he wasn't forced to undergo involuntary mental-health treatment? It's a question being asked in the wake of Wednesday's shootings. But people familiar with the mental-health system say it's not so simple as it may seem. Especially in Washington. Every month between 1,500 and 2,000 people are evaluated by mental-health professionals under the state's Involuntary Treatment Act, (ITA) which allows for a person with a psychiatric illness to be detained in a hospital for treatment. Under the ITA, a person must present an imminent threat to him- or herself or others, or be "gravely disabled." In about two-thirds of cases where patients are mentally ill enough to be brought in for evaluation, they are sent home because they don't meet the criteria.


I'd like to say to everyone out there who may be reading this, Please if you know of someone who is depressed, suicidal, bi-polar and they are not being helped, HELP THEM.  I would feel extremely guilty to know that a person I could have helped may hurt someone else I love.  Remember, there is a difference between someone who is just sad because of something bad in their life and someone who is clinically depressed.  One is controllable. The other is NOT.

I don't want to read about any of you in the news.  That's Bullshit.