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joether -> RE: Man Shoots Self With Own Gun (5/23/2011 12:03:47 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
A guy shot himself in the foot. Isn't that what happens to you, every time you get ahead of the talking points emails?
Guns are tools to make living things dead. They need to be properly handled. Gun safety a very reasonable subject to address, but nowhere near a "flip side" to the right to bear arms.
I seem to recall the OTHER thread to which Owner59 is mocking, that 10 out of 10 'pro-firearm' folks basically state that guns are a RIGHT, not 'tools to make living things dead'. O59 is basically bring up an all to real and ugly side of firearm ownership: suicide. Since there is no requirement of anyone to get a mental or emotional health evalutation before obtaining a firearm (or getting re-evaluted every few years), it could be said that the reason for the sidearm isn't just for self defense or target shooting. I believe the statistics put men at the greatest risk of using firearms for suicide. No one puts down on their application for usage "To Kill Myself".
Likewise, most 'pro-firearm' folks wouldn't know what depression, or its symptoms, in order to realize their friend didnt get that firearm to be 'one of the guys' but has a severe cast of depression. The tragedy that soon follows can be even more devistating. Ironic that when I hear posters preach (yes, preach) gun safety, they are only talking of a tiny understanding of that safety. You NEVER give a loaded gun to anyone (duh). You NEVER give a loaded gun, to a depressed person (assuming you know they have a diaginos medical condtion). And you NEVER give a firearm to such an individual in which the ammo is easily had (i.e. firing range).
In one case, a man is now serving a manslaughter, 2nd degree term because he gave such a weapon to a depressed friend and said "I dont think you would do it". Her reply? "I'm going to do it, and your going to watch me!"
People shot themselves accidently all the time. That happens. But if a person was making an attempt on their life, backs out at the last milisecond, they might still injure themselves. Most people are terribly afraid to admit how the accident took place. Takes a lot of courage and willpower to admit it at that point.
Should someone get a mental/emotional health check before obtaining a firearm? Seems rather reasonable to me. Might have kept that kid from shooting everyone at that college two years ago. Might have also saved many others.
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