Mental Illness And Media Violence Analysis

“Guns don’t kill people, people do.” This is a well known statement that is oftentimes considered true. However, it is not completely true. Someone who is mentally ill may be unable to make logical decisions and the perception they receive of reality may be tainted by the illness. Gun laws pertaining to those suffering mental illnesses should be more restrictive. Weapons such as guns make committing an act of violence, especially when there are multiple victims, much easier. It is difficult to assess the probability of a person to commit a violent act that harms anyone including himself/herself. Therefore, gun laws need be monitored very closely and made more consistent throughout each state in order to prevent violence that could

It has been seen in other countries that experience terrorist attacks and mass murders that guns aren’t the only weapons. Another argument is that helping the mentally ill won’t stop mass shooters. This is true however, nothing will ever stop mass shooters forever. Helping the mentally ill can decrease how often these shootings and attacks occur though. The second amendment states that Americans have the right to carry firearms to form a militia for defense. Gun activists claim that there is no need for guns because America has an army to defend itself. It almost all cases, the military or police force is too slow to act before a shooting starts. “Gun legislation is not effective at keeping guns out of the hands of a dangerous individual before an act of violence occurs.” (Rosen.) This leaves only the people to defend themselves during this time. This is why people carry guns for self defense. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”- Wayne Pierre (Top Executive at NRA). People with the understanding of their situation know that it is wise to carry and operate firearms

A gun is only as good or as bad as the person using it. It is not the gun it's the person using it (Lott). The mental health issue is the problem that needs to be dealt with because unstable people that get ahold of guns are the ones that cause these mass shootings and killing are the ones that need to be regulated and have stipulation put on them.

History relating to the issue of gun violence and mass shooting can be dated back for decades. One of the most common misconceptions is that the cause of these shootings is not the availability of but that mental illnesses of those that obtain the guns are. However, there is little to no evidence that truly supports this argument. As stated in the article, Mass Shootings and Mental Illness written by James L. Knoll IV and D. Annas, “The overall contribution of people with serious mental illness to violent crimes is only about 3%. When these crimes are examined in detail, an even smaller percentage of them are found to involve firearms. (p.81/90)” This misconception among many can be attributed, as outlined in the article, to today’s media coverage.

There is no question, of course, that guns are used in numerous murders, suicides and accidental deaths in today’s society. Yet, the impacts of the Gun Control have left the U.S deeply divided into two groups, those who are banned from legally having a gun due to their criminal record or other disqualifying circumstances and everyone else who have a firearm in their name. The vast majority of the adult public is allowed to obtain and have a firearms they want, thus preserving the personal right to “keep and bear arms” that has been established by recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. But that right, like all rights, has limits. People with serious criminal records or severe mental illness may reasonably be deemed at such high risk of misusing firearms that raised a public-safety alarm which should always take priority over gun rights. While in practice it is impossible to keep all members of high-risk groups disarmed in a gun-rich environment, a selective prohibition may cause some reduction in gun misuse and save enough lives to be worthwhile.

“Mental illness afflicts hundreds of millions of people around the world. Recent surveys in the United States reveal that mental illness in all its varieties is quite prevalent and that more serious, debilitating forms are experienced by about 6% of the population” (Hinshaw, Cicchetti, Dante, and Toth 6). Humanity is able to manipulate anything that comes at hand and guns are no different from any other tool. When guns reach to individual who are in an unstable can cause serious damage to other as well as themselves. The brain is an organ that is part of the human anatomy as if any other organ fails, there has to be procedures to help bring restoration. The mental stability of an individual must be considered in order for them to be allow to own guns. The current system only provides a criminal background check and a brief class about guns. Accountability has to be in place for all those who own or are in pursue of owning a gun. In “Guns, Schools, and Mental Illness: Potential Concerns for Physicians and Mental Health Professionals,” Ryan Chaloner Winton Hall, MD, and Susan Hatters Friedman, MD emphasis the seriousness how mental health effects the issue of gun control. The lack of education on communities in regards to the seriousness of mental illness have led unfortunate cases where they could have been prevented. The current laws contain many inconsistencies and no follow-up in accountability. Chaloner and Hatters continue to explain how, “…not all gun sales are required to be submitted to the NICS(National Instant Criminal Background Check System)…private gun sales/transfers (from one private owner to another) are not regulated by federal restrictions and include up to 40% of sales.” The lack of regiments that the current system failed to place has clearly led to many gruesome events in the past

With approximately 30,000 men, women and children dying each year at the barrel of a gun in elementary schools, movie theaters, workplaces, houses of worship and on live television, the United States faces a public health crisis of gun violence. With stricter gun rights we can put a stop to terrorism and shootings. If the government puts the guns in the hands of people with mental illnesses, then they are allowing the violence to continue. Also it is undoubtedly true that people who are a danger to self and/or others because of mental illness should be prohibited from owning firearms. It is less clear, however, how to tailor new policies to better protect the American civilization while at the same time avoiding the stigmatization of Americans with mental illness. People that have mental issues cannot control themselves, it is undeniable if that person has shown violent tendencies they shouldn't have access to weapons that could be used to harm themselves or others. Mental illness is one of the main reasons that can cause gun violence. Massive shootings by people with mental illnesses represents the most significant relationship between gun violence and mental issues. Gun laws focusing on people with illness or a psychiatric diagnosis are reasonable, even if they add to the stigma already associated with mental illness. “Mass shootings by people with serious mental illness represent less than 1% of all yearly gun-related homicides. In contrast, deaths by suicide using firearms account for the majority of yearly gun-related deaths” (James, L.Knoll). People that have serious mental illness issues should be considered dangerous and should not be allowed to hold a gun. There should be stricter legislation on gun rights. The 2nd Amendment rights means “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and

Mental illness is an issue blamed for gun violence. In most cases, mass shooters have mental illness, which may have been managed before being shot. Mental health treatment, normally is accessible to individuals with wealth (Henderson 4). Therefore, many factors are leading people or individuals too powerless in a money-driven society.

The mistaken belief that there is a direct link between mental illness and violence is disrupting the gun control system. Individuals with mental illnesses only cover a very small portion of violence in general, and even less with gun violence. Instead, the focus should be on criminals and drug users. “Individuals who have exhibited dangerous behaviors in the past, have a criminal record, or have a history of drug abuse, for example, are much more likely to commit future crimes” (Wolf, 2015, p.851-878). The reason the government is focusing on certain groups of people are to predict future violence, so if they limit the ability of the mentally ill to purchase weapons they are thinking it will reduce gun violence. This hypothesis would not make a significant dent in the gun violence problem of the United States, because again the mentally ill only make up a very small portion. The shooter of Sandy Hook middle school used his mother’s legally purchased weapons and ammunition to commit the murder, even if the ban of the mentally ill were in place it would not resolve the problem. The only way to make sure future mass shooting done by someone with schizophrenia, or other severe illnesses is to fund the mental health programs, and at the moment the country is doing the exact opposite. “Unfortunately, funding for mental health care has diminished significantly; over the past few years states have cut approximately $4.35 billion from their mental health care budgets” (Wolf, 2015, p.851-878). The best way to stop violence is to recognize there is a

The debate over gun control is not a new argument, neither is the existence of mental illness. There have been those who support and those who oppose gun control for many years. What has recently re-ignited the debate is an increase in mass shootings over the past few decades; one in particular is the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre. Incidents, such as this, fuel anger and fear, driving many to question the need for firearms in modern society, while others cite these incidents as a reason for remaining armed. The purpose of gun control is to limit the amount of violence in today’s

After recent tragic events, such as the mass shooting that took place at a musical festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1st, 2017, which left over 50 people dead, and over 500 others injured (Bui, Zapotosky and Barrett), the topic of stricter gun controls in America has become a controversial topic for many people in our society. Those in favor of stricter gun controls believe that by implementing laws that would make it more difficult for the average person to purchase and own guns, the result would be a decreased number of mass shootings and other gun deaths in our country. Typically, with these proposed laws, it is suggested that potential gun owners should be required to undergo mental health screening, in addition to regular background checks to see if the person has a history of any mental illnesses or past crimes. However, reducing the number of mass shootings and other gun deaths in America is not as simple as just implementing new laws.

No matter who you are, you have an opinion of gun control. In a poll done by the New York Post they state “Americans back stricter gun laws sixty six-thirty one percent.”(Moore, 2018). One whos is pro gun control might point out that there is more guns in circulation in America then there is living here including illegal guns. In America gun owners have no specific laws saying that they need a special permit to be selling firearms privately. What this means, is that all a person needs is a way to find a private seller and then they can buy a gun with no background check required. Another argument leading off of the last one is mental illness. Since scannings for mental illness are so rare and people don't need permits to buy or sell privately owned guns, this makes it easier for people with mental health issues to own a guns. Some of the pro gun-control advocates think making gun owners register their firearms to the state would make it a lot harder for these guns to be transferred to a person with issues. Another idea is running statewide mental illness tests. These test would be just like having to go get your license renewed except with the test it would be every two years except for the people who have reported problems. Another idea that some people have is banning all guns. There are several reasons why this wouldn’t work. A couple of

More times than not when the issue of gun control is brought into conversation the Second Amendment is the center of attention and many believe that “gun ownership is an American tradition older than the country itself and is protected by the Second Amendment” (Metzel and Kenneth). The primary reason for the creation of this amendment was to make certain that every person could legally bear arms, allowing individuals and families to feel safe in their own homes. It is safe to say that homes should be a secure place to lay down at night, and owning a weapon can allow one to have a sense of peace. Therefore, viewing the big picture of gun control can leave one opposing the whole idea. A person knows that they are going to be smart and rational with a firearm, but they need to consider how another person is going to function with that kind of power in their hands. Every person in this world functions differently, and mental illness plays a huge role in the way a person’s brain works. Within the United States since 1970 it is statistically proven that at least 60% of people who committed a mass shooting exhibited symptoms of paranoia, delusions, or depression, before committing

Guns. A word that sends shivers down some spines, and reminds others they need to clean theirs. The issue of gun control riles up many across America. Gun control falls under changing the current gun laws in any way that makes them stricter. People can buy any accessory they want whether it is considered harmful or not. It is also known the mentally ill can also easily obtain guns and ammunition. Most of the mass shootings Americans experienced are conducted by the mentally ill. Felons, who legally should not have the ability to obtain guns, can easily obtain them through background check mishaps and private sales. The United States government should slightly limit - not eliminate - civilian access to guns because: certain accesories serve