Quote:So they where voluntarily institutionalized then correct? To me if someone is conscious enough to know they need help why can't we expect they're consious enough to know they shouldn't own a firearm?

 

You can't legislate responsibly any more than you can legislate morality.

Not always voluntarily, no. 

 

The mental healthcare 'system' is ridiculously complicated. There are so many rabbit holes it's not even funny.

 

I was not voluntarily institutionalized the first time. I was Baker Acted as I was a danger to myself or others (attempted suicide). There is a mandatory 72 hour hold on Baker Acts or other such involuntary admissions. After that, it's at the discretion of the doctor whether you stay or go. There are people, sick people, who are extremely persuasive and should not be let out. But they know the system because 9 times out of 10 this ain't their first rodeo, and they know what to say and how to act. 

 

The second time I took myself in because I was still suicidal (honestly, I shouldn't have been let out the first time). At that point, unless I was showing active signs of harming myself, they couldn't make me stay if I felt I was able to leave. I got the help I needed and felt okay to leave so I did and have never had the problem again.

 

The shrinks are so overwhelmed by their own practices/patients, their hospital duties and institution duties (which always came at the end of their long day) that sometimes I think they didn't know whether they were coming or going. Most shrinks do not work exclusively at mental hospitals. It's added to their own practice and whatever regular hospital duties they have, as well as court cases they may have to attend. 

 

This is just one example. So there is no easy answer to whether or not a mentally ill person should legally own a weapon of any kind.

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