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We have zero protections in place when it comes to firearms. None.
I have a friend of mine who suffers from Hydrocephalus. He has had a dozen brain surgeries in the past twenty years, is partially mentally retarded, is on a dozen different medications because of his "headaches" and diabetes, and has been seeing a therapist for depression for the past ten years - two failed marriages, two kids who live in a foreign country that he never sees, constantly broke, unable to work, no friends.... And no one questioned anything when he went and bought an AR15.
How is that possible?
Then now that he has the firepower no one wants to go to the local police department and say anything. I've had this discussion with his family. No one wants to call the local police and say "He's depressed and on tons of medication and might be a problem" - No one wants the police to show up at his doorstep to interview him and potentially list him as being a "threat to society" or locking him up in a mental ward. Everyone is just hoping he doesn't do anything to hurt anyone.
This scares the piss out of me. I honestly believe there are a lot of people who live on the edge of society, giving off the appearance that they are "perfectly normal" when in truth they barely have the IQ required to function as an adult. They are partially retarded, and some of them are armed. What's even worse is that we allow these people to drive - my friend john has had four accidents in three years (more than I've had my entire life!) and says "Not my fault they hit me".
How many people live in society acting like they are perfectly normal but aren't. A local friend of mine has a kid who is partially retarded. He lives in an assisted living facility, but has a real job. He is not allowed to drive. He seems like a nice kid - he's twenty-one or so - and we were all surprised when he got a girlfriend. We were even more surprised when he beat the crap out of her for no reason. Imagine if he was armed - and there is nothing stopping him from buying a firearm.
With driving, if you have a problem with driving while intoxicated we will take away your driver's license. That's common sense. If you have a problem with drugs or drinking, you shouldn't be allowed to own a firearm. At the same time, if you have a problem with violence, a temper, or any mental health issues, you shouldn't be allowed to own a firearm.
Common sense.
The NRA fucked us. After that school shooting their only response was "guards in schools". Nothing about expanding background requirements to include mental health issues. The end result is CT is about to pass a law that will punish gun owners.
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