Wednesday, October 17, 2012
On Gun Control and a good day
Because I don't have TV I have never seen a presidential debate before last night that I can remember. I was very interested since I wasn't feeling sleepy and needed something different. (Healing is BORING).
One part came up that I want to address. There was a question about preventing people from having assault rifles and the like. While answered it Obama mentioned that we need to work harder to keep guns from people with mental illness.
This is true.
I am not legally allowed to own a gun. This is fine as I am terrified of them. However, from what I'm told in this state I could easily buy a gun. All I'd have to do is lie on that checkbox. Unless you have been in the state system they have no way to know that I've mentally ill and have been fighting suicidal thoughts for 13 months (less now but still there).
I have no idea what the solution is. I do not wnat anyone to be able to access my medical records to find out that I have mental illness. I also don't want to be allowed to own a gun nor do I think others with severe mental illnesses should. Mental illness does not cause violence but it does cause periods of atypical behavior that is hard to control. It also causes paranoia, extreme anger, hallucinations and other things that just make it better for us to not have guns. The system still would not be perfect. One of the Columbine shooters was on antidepressants; I remember because it was a big thing about whether the meds made him violent. His depression would not have prevented him from buying a gun had he been 18. His juvenile conviction might have; I don't know. But there are too many examples of why this law needs to change.
I had the best day yet today. I walked a little further and took lots of pictures of the leaves, which are amazing here this year. I even made it further without waddling. Then I was able to read on the back porch for a while. I'm now quite sore but it was worth it.
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4 comments:
I'm not sure I agree. I live in an area with a lot of hunters. Taking away people's guns on a case-by-case basis makes sense to me, but to state that anyone who has recently been mentally ill or in a mental hospital can't have a gun seems too extreme to me. That said, during my latest hospitalization, they did ask me if I owned a gun. I'm not sure what they would have done if I did have one.
Hi Jen,
Very glad to see you had your "best day yet" and are slowly and surely feeling better. I bet this is seeming like FOREVER to you, huh? Well... I guess they weren't kidding when you were told the recovery would take some time.
I don't know what to say about the gun control issue. I come from a long line of hunters, so of course am used to rifles and pistols (bows too). This isn't exactly relevant to your conversation, but why in the heck does ANYONE need one of those machine guns? I wonder when those became available to the general public.
I am on antidepressants and I am quite sure I could purchase a gun, but, perhaps not. No matter because I won't get one anyway - they scare me. A lot. Even though I've shot trap and target shot with a pistol, they still scare me.
I think the bottom line is that anyone can get their hands on a gun if they try hard enough, for whatever they might want it for. Kind of scary if I think about it too hard.
I just started watching TV again after a two year hiatus. I am enjoying MeTV and the oldies like The Big Valley and Gunsmoke.
Keep healing! God Bless you and keep you, Jen.
Becky
I'm with Becky as far as growing up with hunters in the family and fearing that people of ill-will can always find weapons. I, too, do not understand why anyone would want an automatic weapon. I would use a gun if I had to but admit that I haven't handled one in years and haven't done anything to train myself for an emergency situation. It's good to hear your thoughts.
This is part of 365 Promises today. I know it's hard to have full faith and confidence that nothing will befall us that we can't handle with God's protection but I'll be meditating on the truth of His Word.
Psalm 91:4 WEB
He will cover you with His feathers. Under His wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
"Promise #292: I will cover you with My feathers and protect you with My wings.
Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms that speaks of Almighty God's protection and covering. I love the imagery of this verse in particular. Just imagine for a minute what the psalmist is portraying in this verse... The Most High God covers us with His feathers and protects us with His wings.
When I think about this promise, I imagine God as a majestic eagle and we are His little chickadees who live in the shelter and safety of His magnificient wings. Nothing can harm us there. We are completely safe and secure."
Hugs, Michal
Another set of comments I didn't know about......
I live and grew up where hunting keeps many families alive. I'm not opposed to it at all, but I do agee with the idea that people with serious mental illness shouldn't have one. I don't know what that should be defined necessarily; depression alone certainly shouldn't disqualify you. On the other hand although i'm terrified of guns and would never use one I wish that it was different and that after multiple psychiatric hospitalizations for suicidal intent I would not be allowed and would be caught if I lied. I want my privacy preserved but I do not think guns belong with everyone. Around here horrible tragedies happen with guns (high rate for murder-suicides) and those almost always (here) are people who hunt or use guns. Every year during hunting seasons people are killed and while it is rarely intentional it often involves alcohol or other impairments. I can't say take away all guns or people here would starve. But I do think that safety measures are not intense enough, at least here.
Just Me JEn
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