During an update Wednesday night on the school shooting that killed at least 17 in Parkland, Fla., Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said that people in treatment for mental health illnesses should not be able to purchase or carry guns.
WATCH: Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says people in treatment for mental health illnesses should not be able to purchase or carry handguns during press conference with Florida Governor Rick Scott following mass shooting at local school. https://t.co/Gup7LBCLJz pic.twitter.com/X3r8JacvwZ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 15, 2018
“In treatment for mental health illnesses?” That’s going to sound great to a lot of people, but it’s an awfully broad brush. Just what does he mean?
This is a terrible proposal. The vast majority of people in treatment for mental health are not dangerous. Singling them out this way contributes to the stigmatization of people with mental health conditions, which is a factor in them *not seeking treatment.* https://t.co/8aKl9A5KVd
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) February 15, 2018
What would constitute, "in treatment for mental health illnesses"?
Going to a therapist for depression? Asking your GP about anti-depressants?
Would healthcare professionals be responsible for reporting? How would you get your 2A rights back? https://t.co/9bx09LcCkz
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) February 15, 2018
Important thing to remember: It's already against the law for certain people with mental health issues to buy a firearm.https://t.co/yNmHtzWRJG
So how would this work beyond people who've been "adjudicated as a mental defective"?
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) February 15, 2018
It would work to discourage people from getting treatment.
— random schlub (@RandomSchlub) February 15, 2018
Except that people with mental illness almost never commit these crimes. This is the great delusion Americans seem to have.
— Russ Tychonick (@rtychonick) February 15, 2018
The mentally ill are more likely to be crime victims than crime perpetrators, but sure, let's stigmatize millions of people.
— newsjunkie365 (@newsjunkie365) February 15, 2018
Yeah, it's the mentally ill. The people more likely to be victims of violence are an easy scapegoat for our country's decades of failure.
— We Bought A Pazuzu (@EthanInTX) February 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Roger247/status/963972476374999040
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https://twitter.com/bdylan234/status/963971025699516416
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