"We must keep guns away from the mentally ill, and we must destigmatize mental illness

[pipoman]

3. I believe mental illness

is a factor in many of these horrific crimes. When Raygun defunded mental health treatment resulting in the closure of state run mental hospitals all over the country, there was one huge unexpected consequence. Involuntary commitment procedures all but halted. Previously if loved ones or authorities of various types believed a person to be a risk to self or others and the court agreed the person would go to mental health facilities until the threat was over. Now, unless a person has really good health insurance or are independently able to pay, there is no inpatient funding. Now, if I suspect my son to be a danger to someone, there is no help until he commits a crime and is in state custody, even if I beg the police they will do nothing. Once the crime is committed and the person is in state custody people with mental illness are often untreated and put in the prison industrial complex for profit instead...(that was part of Rayguns plan).

Ultimately, IMO, we need to be able to treat mental health issues and addiction services for anyone who needs them..including inpatient. Also ability by loved ones and authorities to petition for involuntary commitment when needed.

Oh, and then the involuntarily committed should be entered into the NICS system, and only the involuntarily committed..