I go back and forth on this....
If we don't want crazy people to have guns, (and I certainly don't want that!), how do we find the crazy people?
If a CO recognizes that one of his men is in trouble, and needs help, but can't ask that question, how do we expect people in civilian life to figure out who the crazy ones are?
If there is some informal way a CO can limit the risk of suicide or murder, don't we want them to take it?
BUT....I also don't want this used as a tool to confiscate firearms simply because someone has a hot temper (In the opinion of the CO or someone else!). Its a very difficult issue.
As a family practice provider, I deal with people all the time who have severe depression and anxiety. Anytime I feel they are a risk, I discuss the means that they have to harm themselves or others. If they have firearms, I encourage them to place them in the care of another individual until they feel that they are no longer a risk to themselves or others. That's a tough decision process for them. If they are referred to a Mental Health Agency, that agency must evaluate and decide the risk and the intervention.
Mental health care is a huge part of the problem, and we do it poorly!
If we don't want crazy people to have guns, (and I certainly don't want that!), how do we find the crazy people?
If a CO recognizes that one of his men is in trouble, and needs help, but can't ask that question, how do we expect people in civilian life to figure out who the crazy ones are?
If there is some informal way a CO can limit the risk of suicide or murder, don't we want them to take it?
BUT....I also don't want this used as a tool to confiscate firearms simply because someone has a hot temper (In the opinion of the CO or someone else!). Its a very difficult issue.
As a family practice provider, I deal with people all the time who have severe depression and anxiety. Anytime I feel they are a risk, I discuss the means that they have to harm themselves or others. If they have firearms, I encourage them to place them in the care of another individual until they feel that they are no longer a risk to themselves or others. That's a tough decision process for them. If they are referred to a Mental Health Agency, that agency must evaluate and decide the risk and the intervention.
Mental health care is a huge part of the problem, and we do it poorly!
You seek escape from pain. We seek the achievement of happiness. You exist for the sake of avoiding punishment. We exist for the sake of earning rewards. Threats will not make us function; fear is not our incentive. It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live. - John Galt