I Agree With Christie On This One

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/chris-christie-vetoes-gun-control-bill


Recently, Christie vetoed a gun control bill that would ban magazines with larger then 10 rounds of ammo. I support sensible gun control, but this isn't going to stop mass shootings. Supporters of this bill argue that smaller rounds mean a shooter has to stop and reload more saving more lives. But it wouldn't stop the massacre:

“Mass violence will not end by changing the number of bullets loaded into a gun,” Christie said in his veto message. “I will not support such a trivial approach to the sanctity of human life, because this is not governing.” He returned the measure to the state legislature with a reform plan that deals with mental health issues, according to his office.

I agree. In order to stop mass shootings to begin with, we need to think about what makes a person think about doing them in the first place. In almost all cases the shooter has some version of a mental health issue. Mental help is expensive to get so a lot of people who need it, don't get it. But if that became accessible to them, then they are more likely to deal with their issues in a better way.

But this is all a general argument Christie is using. He's not mentioning HOW he wants to reform mental health.

Some shooters ARE getting mental help. Like James Holmes the Aurora theater shooter in Colorado.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-holmes-saw-three-mental-health-professionals-before-shooting/

He met with three Mental Health Professionals at the University of Colorado before the massacre. One of them warned campus police that he was dangerous. They deactivated his ID but that's all that seems to have been done.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/aurora-shooter-james-holmes-psychiatrist-warned-police-he-was-dangerous/

With that in mind, any legislation to strengthen Mental Health Access to prevent these massacres from occurring in the first place needs to include the following:

1. When a Certified Psychologist or Psychiatrist says someone poses a danger, law enforcement needs to take that seriously (backed by session notes as proof). That means involuntarily being placed in a mental hospital. By posing a danger I mean the obvious: threatening to kill more then once, obsessions with violence, strong hatred for a specific type of person, not showing emotions when someone is being harmed, severe social issues, and anything else along those lines.

2. Extra money granted to mental hospitals to cover the costs of the extra patients (yes, as a tax payer I'd rather some of my tax money goes to keeping someone who needs the help in a mental hospital as opposed to that person killing a lot of people. It's a worthy investment of our money).

3. Mandatory life-long monthly sessions with a Psychologist or Psychiatrist once released for "mental maintenance". This will help provide a source to talk through issues and deal with stress. If someone is close to snapping again, the professional would see it and report it to law enforcement.

4. Something to help lower the cost of Psychological medications, testing, and sessions. The best recommendation I can make is high tax breaks on mental health bills submitted. It covers most of the cost of mental health care so cost becomes less of an issue. We really need actual costs to come down but that's up to the Psychologist, Psychiatrist, testing companies, and medication companies. Perhaps they need tax breaks too.

It's already illegal to get a gun if you have been involuntarily put in a mental hospital. But they can still get to guns of family members. If that family member has passed the mandatory background check, then legally we can't make them get rid of their gun(s).

But I would hope for the sake of their loved one and of society, family and friends would choose to get rid of their firearms once these individuals are released from the mental hospitals. Even if they don't commit mass murders, a lot of mentally unstable people commit suicide. If they know where to get a gun, they'll use it.

I'm not a danger to society but I do have General Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Occasionally, I also get Depression. It's WHY I am a Stay-At-Home-Mommy. To reduce stress so I can better deal with life. I see a fantastic Psychologist who has known me since 2002. Those monthly sessions for "mental maintenance" do make a difference! My parents and Josh are VERY supportive of me. If I am going through a rough patch, they are there for me to help me through it.

I see how important Mental Health is. A lot of people say "those who are likely to cause mass shootings wouldn't talk about that in their sessions, the sessions would be a joke!" I read a lot about these things. I was a senior in High School when Columbine happened and ever since have been interested in WHY they do it. In most cases, the shooters have told someone about their plans, have a growing obsession with violence, and/or have been stronger in their vocal opposition to their would-be targets. Even if they don't actually SAY "I want to kill _______", most will start strongly talking about how much they hate that person or group. If they have a violent look in their eye when they are talking about that person or group, there is something to be concerned about.

The first step I mentioned involves the person in question having to get to a professional in the first place. The fourth is motivation to get them there. But it starts with loved ones who pay attention and say "you need help". Very rarely does an individual recognize and get help on their own with mental issues. It starts with being able to identify the signs of mental health issues and getting them professional help. Nancy Lanza learned her lesson on this the hard way.

Christie is right, a smaller magazine will slow shooters down but not stop the massacres. But seeing someone needs help and getting them there will. But that also means everyone in every step above needs to take their roles seriously. Aurora could have been prevented if the real police had been called and they had taken him to a mental hospital. The reporting Doctor did what she was supposed to. The University should have a better rule for these things. Her job should have been to skip Campus police and report him directly to the real police.