Also, being someone who was formally unhinged mentally, to the point of being institutionalized, I think it's a very fine line when it comes to allowing folks who are mentally ill to handle ANY weapon legally. I know that folks can grab a screwdriver or a kitchen knife and do some damage but the liability is on them, not the government. There is a time in my life that I absolutely should not have had a firearm in my possession, and I didn't. I would have ended up using it on someone if the 'right' circumstances presented themselves. 

 

Will people get a hold of firearms or other weapons anyway? Yes. But it doesn't mean we should legally allow them to have one. Or encourage them to have one.

 

Same goes for felons. Except they gave up their right to own when they broke the law.

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