Current Events > A serious discussion about how to solve mass shootings and gun violence

(+) Yeah! (+)

I think a lot of people caught up in gun control are missing something worth talking about. (for the record I believe there should be tighter gun control).

Gun control alone will not end mass shootings. It might reduce them a bit but the root of the problem goes deeper than that.

The ultimate problem is mental health, and the rage and insanity that leads people to do these cowardly acts. Centuries ago, people still went on murder rampages, long before violent video games or automatic weapons ever existed. And the causes then are the same causes now: People who acutely hate others and blame their own distress on other people.

Instead of having a life with good opportunities, a caring community or network of friends, and healthy outlets for anger, these people feel isolated and assaulted from outside forces and other people. Obviously this is illusory, but to them they feel like the "easy" answer to whatever life problems they had is best solved with violence.

It's a narrow-minded, short-sighted, WRONG way of thinking, and perhaps our gun-loving culture has helped nurture it a bit. But even before such a culture was widespread, people wanting to kill other people has always been a thing.

Until we solve the mental health crisis plaguing average people (which is an adjacent issue to the opioid and depression crises) , mass shootings will still happen.

Even in a world where no one is allowed to (legally) own guns anymore, and gun-culture is no longer a thing, there will STILL be people that use knives or explosives, or guns anyway (this time illegally), to go on rampages. Until we resolve the poor mental state of these people and get rid of that twisted motivations, nothing else will make these attacks truly go away.

And no doubt, mental health is MUCH more complicated of a problem to solve. You have to holistically look at the life of a person. Their family situation. Are their needs being met? Shelter, food, water. Do they feel loved? Are they achieving their goals? Are they contributing to society? Do they feel as though they belong?

It's a gross over-simplification to simply say no guns = no shootings, because the fact of the matter is even if you outlaw all guns (which maybe SHOULD happen someday by the way), there are so many out there that if a criminal wants a gun a criminal will find ways to obtain a gun.

So I hope everyone can look more than one step down the road to a lasting solution. See the forest for the trees. Don't just treat the symptoms but also the disease.

Historically the response to mental health has been terse and uncaring. Almost as if someone suffered a sports injury or is a "weakling". "Take some Tylenol, Go to bed, and quit whining." Comments like that are not helpful and do nothing for the mental health of someone in distress.

We need free guidance and emotional counselling at all high schools. We need the price of psychological care to be affordable to everyone. We need daily support sessions. We need programs to help people help themselves out of depression. We need to stop the culture of shaming people who are down.
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Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

To clarify: the reason focus is always on gun control is because it's something that's actually feasible to implement.
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Zeeak4444 posted...

Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.
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SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

But then we have to rely on those within the profession to be the upmost caring individuals with full integrity. On top of figuring out how to implement it so no ones left behind. Public schools in K-5? What about private and homeschooled?

Etc etc.
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SilvosForever posted...

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

Are you going to require mandatory psych evals? How else would you reach them before it happens?
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Zeeak4444 posted...

SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

But then we have to rely on those within the profession to be the upmost caring individuals with full integrity. On top of figuring out how to implement it so no ones left behind. Public schools in K-5? What about private and homeschooled?

Etc etc.

I believe it should be a public service, offered at no charge. And that the workers should be well-compensated.

Yes, this is an expense. Yes, it might mean we pay a bit more in taxes. But the fact is sometimes there are things worth spending your money on.
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You know this is CE, right?
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Woodstock 2
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Ban schools
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SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

But then we have to rely on those within the profession to be the upmost caring individuals with full integrity. On top of figuring out how to implement it so no ones left behind. Public schools in K-5? What about private and homeschooled?

Etc etc.

I believe it should be a public service, offered at no charge. And that the workers should be well-compensated.

Yes, this is an expense. Yes, it might mean we pay a bit more in taxes. But the fact is sometimes there are things worth spending your money on.

But that goes back to them wanting to utilize the service. What if they just don't want to go in for a screening? What if they think they're completely normal?

Like I said I completely agree with the idea but I'm fairly confident the focus is on gun control because that's something we can actually implement to cut down.
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Antifar posted...

You know this is CE, right?

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Mental health is too broad of a problem to tackle.
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iClockwork posted...

SilvosForever posted...

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

Are you going to require mandatory psych evals? How else would you reach them before it happens?

I would hope it would be completely voluntary, but also well known and accepting. Like a high school guidance counselor, only actually effective, and more specialized to deal with emotions. Maybe this is what guidance counselors were MEANT to be. But in any regard, that is the goal.

Maybe a daily homeroom teacher reminder that these people are here to help. It would be private of course.
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Zeeak4444 posted...

SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

SilvosForever posted...

Zeeak4444 posted...

Not to detract because I'm a big advocate for mental health reform but if the argument is a criminal will find a gun anyways, wouldn't it be just as fair to say a criminal will avoid mental health facilities as well...?

If you reach them before they BECOME a criminal in the first place. It's about addressing people's distress before they even WANT a gun.

But then we have to rely on those within the profession to be the upmost caring individuals with full integrity. On top of figuring out how to implement it so no ones left behind. Public schools in K-5? What about private and homeschooled?

Etc etc.

I believe it should be a public service, offered at no charge. And that the workers should be well-compensated.

Yes, this is an expense. Yes, it might mean we pay a bit more in taxes. But the fact is sometimes there are things worth spending your money on.

But that goes back to them wanting to utilize the service. What if they just don't want to go in for a screening? What if they think they're completely normal?

Like I said I completely agree with the idea but I'm fairly confident the focus is on gun control because that's something we can actually implement to cut down.

That is another hurdle to tackle. The idea that even visiting such a facility or person means "I'm not normal". I think the message of:

"This is available. Come in anytime you're feeling down. Feeling down is totally normal. X number of other students have come in for help and it has helped them. It is totally private and free."

Just re assurance.
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I would also add to the message:

"You do not have to come in regularly, it is completely up to you when and how often you want to talk. We are here every day."

Give out free Starbursts or Suckers too. Why not. Just make kids feel comfortable and listen to them.
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