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In today’s media reports about mental illness, there is a tendency to emphasize a supposed link between violence and mental illness. News stories regularly suggest that there is a strong connection between mental illness and crime. But the majority of people who are violent do not suffer from mental illnesses. In fact, people with a mental illness are more likely to be the victims, rather than the perpetrators of violence. Because the media often quotes dramatic statistics to underscore their case, a look at the broader picture is essential. For example, studies have found that the rate of violence (defined as threatening, hitting, fighting or otherwise hurting another person) for people with mental illness is 3 to 5 times the rate of the general public. On its own, this is a worrying figure. But it is similar to how much more violent men are than women. Recent studies have shown that alcohol and substance abuse far outweigh mental illness in contributing to violence. A 1996 Health Canada review of scientific articles found that the strongest predictor of violence and criminal behaviour is not major mental illness, but past history of violence and criminality. Re-shaping beliefs is not an easy task. But it is important to correct the misleading information about this issue, because it leads to intolerance and negatively impacts the lives of people with mental illness and our society as a whole. Learning the facts about violence and mental illness is an important first step in building realistic attitudes about this complex issue.
The Facts The majority of violent crimes and homicides are committed by people who do not have mental health problems. People with mental health problems are more dangerous to themselves than they are to others: 90 per cent of people who die through suicide in the UK are experiencing mental distress. In 2009, the total population in England and Wales was just over 43 million. It is estimated that about one in six of the adult population will have a significant mental health problem at any one time (more than 7 million people). Given this number and the 50–70 cases of homicide a year involving people known to have a mental health problem at the time of the murder, clearly the statistics data do not support the sensationalised media coverage about the danger that people with mental health problems present to the community. According to the British Crime Survey, almost half (47 per cent) of the victims of violent crimes believed that their offender was under the influence of alcohol and about 17 per cent believed that the offender was under the influence of drugs. Another survey suggested that about 30 per cent of victims believed that the offender attacked them because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In contrast, only 1 per cent of victims believed that the violent incident happened because the offender had a mental illness. Contrary to popular belief, the incidence of homicide committed by people diagnosed with mental health problems has stayed at a fairly constant level since the 1990s Substance abuse appears to play a role: The prevalence of violence is higher among people who have symptoms of substance abuse (including discharged psychiatric patients and non-patients).
originally posted by: Cygnis
originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: CornishCeltGuy
But here's the thing at gun shows, venues, and the like, under federal law, private sellers are not required to perform background checks on buyers.
They also are not required to record the sale or ask for identification, which is rather a large loophole in the system if you ask me and probably responsible for a whole host of people that should normally not be allowed to even fire a gun to procure them without incident or even record.
That's rather interesting. Every gun show/venue I have been to has required ID to even enter the area but not only show ID, but also provide my info for a background check when I was making a purchase of a firearm.
I'm not sure what kind of gun show you are going to, but any legit/reputable gun show will follow rather strict protocol.
Sure, private sales out of the trunk of a person's car are impossible to regulate as it's impossible to keep tabs on everyone and their minute to minute dealings. I'd rather not have a 1984 type monitoring of everything, but that is the direction we are traveling. So in time, I'm sure we'll even be able to just arrest people pre-crime-style and prevent all of these things as people keep screaming for more laws. Just gotta be patient for the loss of all freedoms, folks.
After all, the government and 16 year old kids know best.
Travis Reinking, 29, had been at large for more than 24 hours after allegedly shooting and killing four people early Sunday morning at a Waffle House in Nashville. It was learned earlier Monday that Reinking was also involved in an unrelated police chase after stealing a BMW last week. Reinking stole a BMW from a dealership in Brentwood, Tennessee, last Tuesday, according to Don Aaron, public affairs manager of the Metro Nashville Police. Aaron was speaking at a press conference on Monday. The suspect went into the dealership last week and asked about buying a BMW, but he refused to provide identification when asked for it, and Reinking then stole a car off the lot. Brentwood Police engaged Reinking in a chase during rush hour, but police didn’t continue with the pursuit due to heavy traffic. The car was later found at the suspect’s apartment building. It wasn’t known who stole the car at the time because Reinking had refused to provide identification, Aaron pointed out.
originally posted by: Gazrok
"mentally ill" is a pretty broad term, which is why no legislation should ever use it....EVER.
Instead, legislation targeting those deemed harmful to themselves and others (by a medical expert in that field), and with a clear path and plan with milestones, to restoring those rights if the condition is no longer present, and I'll be fully onboard with such legislation.
Anything short of that, nope, sorry, no vote for you.