So, the NRA wants a database of "mentally ill people."

[MineralMan]

But they don't want a database of firearms owners. Isn't that just the most interesting paradox? I'm a firearms owner, and I'd welcome a national database, open to law enforcement, of firearms owners and their firearms. It would provide additional safety through knowledge. In fact, I think such a database would be an excellent thing to add to firearms laws. I'd gladly provide a list of my firearms, with serial numbers, to such a database.

The NRA is not serious about firearms safety, or they'd welcome accurate records. It would even help get stolen firearms returned to their lawful owner. Some people have a lot of money invested in their guns. You'd think they'd want some kind of record of them.

[arcane1]

1. Did they say what they think should be DONE with this database?

[MineralMan]

8. Well, you know, so they couldn't get firearms.

Of course, half of their members would be on the list and have to give theirs up.

It's the firearms that are the problem, especially the firearms that are designed for no purpose but to kill as many people as possible in the shortest possible time. That's the problem.

[SoCalNative]

29. And their poster boy

Charlton Heston would have been#1 on that list the second he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. A database of mentally ill people? Why don't they just

submit their membership list as a start?

[smirkymonkey]

23. +10,000

You beat me to it.

[alsame]

28. And the House GOP. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Will they start by turning over their membership list?

[Jackpine Radical]

11. GMTA

[bowens43]

4. Mental illness isn't the problem. Guns are the problem.

dumb asses

[get the red out]

6. How do you begin to even define "mentally ill"

Anyone who has ever taken an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication?

It would be impossible, and even if such a terrible breach of privacy was undertaken, people would simply avoid getting help when they needed it, that would certainly improve things...

[Jackpine Radical]

13. The suggestion is so preposterous that you lend it

too much credibility by giving it serious consideration.

[HereSince1628]

22. Honestly, in a digital age it would probably work something like this...

Software would troll medical records for certain billing codes (DSM or ICD numbers associated with mental illness), identifying data off the flagged records would go into a government database where they could be merged with criminal records and screened at the time of gun purchases.

What could possibly go wrong? Vendors will be allowed access to the records so they can sell you copies of your records so you can check them for accuracy.

Of course your employer, your landlord, bank loan officer, and neighborhood block captain, PTA president also will be able to buy the same report.

[LongTomH]

35. It would further marginalize people who need to come out and seek help!

A number of people on DU have pointed out that most, repeat most mentally ill people are not violent.

It's appalling that, in the 21st Century, we still put a stigma on mental illness; one that prevents prevents people from getting help.

[liberal N proud]

7. How about a database of all weapons and where they are stored?

That would be a good start.

You can own all the weapons you want, but they all have to be entered into a database, every bullet has to be entered into a database and logged when expended.


Rights require some responsibility, own up you GUN NUTS!

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. They need only look as far as their membership rolls.

That would be a start.

[UncleYoder]

10. Hmmm....

Let me think. Wasn't there another group of people that complied lists of "undesirables"?
Christ on a cracker, this needs to stop.

[dembotoz]

17. how very third reich of them

[mainer]

12. We should start with a database of "gun hoarders"

because that is definitely a mental illness.

[HereSince1628]

14. Wierd thing is they want actuarial risk applied to them but not

to any other group.

They make big deals about distinctions on gun descriptions and blurr everything about mental illness.

They need a cuplable scary OTHER, who can take the heat.

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. Also, if ...

that database included ballistic identifiers (not the proper name I know), think of the L/E effect? L/E would no longer have to look for the gun that killed someone. They'd already have the name and address of the owner of the gun.

[Glassunion]

25. I'd agree with you if it was a realistic solution.

Currently with the technologies we have, ballistic fingerprinting is not effective.

New York state for years performed a ballistic test on all new firearms. Net result was that it aided in the identification of zero suspects. Not once was it used in an investigation. The cost of the program was quite high so NY dropped it.

The issue is, that you can take a "fingerprint" however after use that fingerprint begins to change. Depending on the ammunition quite significantly.

I see where you are coming from and wish I had an answer.

[JanMichael]

16. Yep

same here.

k and r

[yewberry]

18. A database? Why not just force those mentally ill people to wear some kind of symbol?

You know, so we'll know them when we see them.

What a horrifying idea. What a nightmare.

[HereSince1628]

20. Been seriously suggested by a DUer subsequently ppr'd

[lpbk2713]

19. They could start with anyone who appears regularly on Faux Noise.

[LongTomH]

33. I'm getting motion sickness from that animation of Anne Coulter

[jody]

21. 750 mayors asked Obama to include mental-health records in NICS. See

http://mahwah.patch.com/articles/mayor-signs-gun-control-letter-to-obama

[Glassunion]

24. What's the problem?

Over 1/2 of current NRA members support a limit on magazines, support stronger background checks, support that all firearm transactions accompany a background check.

That means that just under half of the remaining NRA members are suffering from mental illness and will be included on that scarlet letter list he wants to make. My guess is Wayne himself will end up on that list.

Fuck lists... Period.

I have some ideas that I feel are workable, and none of them involve HIPPA violations. Branding people and tracking them for medical conditions is deplorable.

[jody]

26. Agree with many posts to this thread. Sill govt. lists are just that, lists maintained by the govt.

How do we insure government will not use any list just as ACLU alleges govt. has misused the U.S. government's terrorist list? See http://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/terror-watch-list-counter-million-plus

Are we not moving closer to John Poindexter's creation the Information Awareness Office with its All Seeing Eye

[patrice]

27. As I said here the other day & was attacked for it, "Oversimplification leads to 'gas ovens'". nt

[Vietnameravet]

30. Good idea..

Start with Wayne LaPierre, then add Michelle Bachmann, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, ..you get the idea!

[Recursion]

31. Does their roster not cover that? (nt)

[spanone]

32. they can start with their 4 million members.

[ck4829]

34. Imagine a mentally ill person being told they can't do or have something because they're 'on a list'

Especially someone with delusions or paranoia.

That will totally help them out.

[HereSince1628]

36. Imagine, those things are like...admission to professional training, jobs, home loans

OH WAIT! We don't have to imagine. That's what stigma already does.

This list would just facilitates what is already a common feature of Amerian society.

So once again it's just the government helping people!

n'ya sarcasm.

[jody]

37. I've read several posts on DU by those who acknowledge receiving some type of mental-health

counseling. Will they be on the list?

How does one prevent over zealous school counselors from classifying a child as a risk?

If a child is not so classified, then aren't counselors de facto saying the child does not have mental-health problems?

Can they be held responsible for not identifying a child at risk?

Can't government have mental-health problems itself, e.g. seven of Italy's leading experts on natural disasters have each been sentenced for giving false assurances before a 2009 earthquake.

I don't know whether this a fantasy or a nightmare.