One issue I have with the Second Amendment crowd

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I’m pro second amendment and pro mental health but I also believe that the main element in these shootings is evil, not mental illness. I also wonder if 24\7 internet and social media access and the resulting de-personalization of fellow human beings is to blame. The internet is one element that has been added in this current t generation that wasn’t there in the past when these shootings didn’t happen. But anyway, I feel that gun laws wont prevent anything. The way to prevent school shootings is to focus on the schools. Limited entry points with metal detectors, and armed guards are the one thing that will guarantee a dramatic decrease of these incidences.
 
The problem with all social program is they cost money and can be extremely expensive. I agree with you wholeheartedly about the need for more help for those mentally ill. Many homeless people are mentally ill and with the closing of mental institutions were left fending for themselves in the streets if they had no family or other social support.

How much of your paycheck are you willing to give up in taxes to fund programs like this is the question we need to ask ourselves. How much more are you willing to pay in property taxes to increase school funding for the things you note.

I think people speak generally about these programs without thinking of the cost, We must all be willing to pay more in taxes to fund these programs and many families are struggling as it is.

It’s a tough issue; good topic.
 
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You totally missed the point. A gun safe is not intended to keep you from carrying your own gun. It is where you put your guns when you are not using them, to keep them out of the hands of others such as children.

In a way, however, you are correct: It would have been better if the father of the Texas school shooter had followed your advice and kept his handgun on his person. But he didn’t. When he wasn’t carrying the gun, he carelessly left it where his son could take it. My friend, that is when he should have used a gun safe. And the shotgun should have been locked away until it was needed.
 
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Well, do you have a better idea on how to solve the copycat problem? Experts actually say that nonstop media coverage makes active shooter situations more common.
 
Interesting. I didn’t realize the op was talking about republicans. If that’s the case then as a Catholic I’m sure he is equally or even more so concerned about the democrats leftist political ideology that supports unfettered access to forceps, scalpels and any other tools that are used for killing far more human beings through abortion.
 
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RCIAGraduate said:
Meanwhile, in the field of mental health, I don’t even know if seeing a counselor once a week would even count it, I feel like those struggling with mental health issues need more support, I like peer supports such as warmlines and support groups to name two. I also believe there could be better access to community-based care as well.
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Well, when I was in counselling, I did both, one on one once a month or as needed in conjunction with group led by the same psychiatrist. It really helped. The once a month was nice for the one on one. The group was great to because you were with people that had the same or similar concern/issues and could relate.
 
MaryT777 said:
and with the closing of mental institutions were left fending for themselves in the streets if they had no family or other social support.
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That’s the key to what has been going on … mental institutions have been closed and the mental health establishment has depended on psychotropic drugs … with no attention to side effects.
 
Would you disagree with the premise that programs like mentoring can provide an alternative for those from broken homes? That such programs can shed a light of hope for those experiencing desolation and hopelessness? For example, one of the programs I linked offers multiple mentors that provide team-based, family-style mentoring. Additionally, I read from somewhere that it may just take one positive connection to make a difference in the life of a disadvantaged young person.

Imagine if every potential mass shooter had up to five to six positive volunteer mentors being a supportive guide, could things have been different?

MaryT777 asked me how far I’d be willing to pay for the programs I mentioned, I know it’s rhetorical but I’d be willing to have society’s taxes hiked to support $100 billion to support programs like Thread.

Forgive the idealism and virtue signaling but so many programs are full of promise and it’s rather nice to think about what could be.

Jan, what do you think, could programs like the one I mention truly bring hope to our society, even if it doesn’t prevent another mass shooting, could you support the programs due to other benefits like helping break intergenerational cycles of crime and destitution while promoting greater inclusion, integration and interconnectedness?
 
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Absolutely. More school counselors would help. Unfortunately, these positions are being cut. In one school district where we lived, there was one social worker for the entire district. Ridiculous.
 
phil19034 said:
And whether we accept it or not, it does have a desensitizing effect, which is why the military is using “video games” today to “help” soldiers who have trouble pulling the trigger
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I can honestly say I’ve never heard this, including during my years as a military working dog handler with the Air Force.

We’ve used simulators for training for decades, as do law enforcement.
redbetta said:
Well, do you have a better idea on how to solve the copycat problem? Experts actually say that nonstop media coverage makes active shooter situations more common.
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There’s a reason we increase security on the anniversary of things like the Ft Hood attack and the OKC bombing. It’s because of this.
 
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The reason we have not progressed to mental health discussions is that anything that doesn’t include restricting gun owner rights is a non starter for the anti constitution gun control crowd. Even the NRA supports increased mental health solutions.

Every solution should not include an errosion of the Constitution.
 
HolySpirit said:
The reason we have not progressed to mental health discussions is that anything that doesn’t include restricting gun owner rights is a non starter for the anti constitution gun control crowd. Even the NRA supports increased mental health s
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Yawn

Pro 2a Republicans hold control of the House, Senate, and White House. They have the power to act. They are choosing not to act.
 
I absolutely think those would be good things to have.

Unfortunately, those things all cost money, and as a nation we’re broke. I don’t want my taxes going up. I already pay effectively 50% of my income to some level of government.
 
Pup7 said:
I can honestly say I’ve never heard this, including during my years as a military working dog handler with the Air Force.

We’ve used simulators for training for decades, as do law enforcement.
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Well, I did put “video games” in quotes 🙂

But here are a few links:



http://www.versiondaily.com/how-the-u-s-uses-video-games-for-military-training/


The crazy thing this kids can pretty much buy games that are very similar to these VR simulators.
 
They’re not used to “desensitize”. It’s your characterization that is completely incorrect.

As I’ve used them, I know what they’re for. They’re not video games in the same sense. They’re simulations. Training. How to react under fire. What a legal target is.

Cops use them too. We’ve had them for over 25 years, because I used them when I was enlisted in the 1990s.
 
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mrsdizzyd said:
Pro 2a Republicans hold control of the House, Senate, and White House.
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“Controlling” the Senate requires 60 votes. The Republicans have 51. They do not control the Senate.
They have the power to act.
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Without 60 votes in the Senate they do not have the power to pass any legislation on this subject.
They are choosing not to act.
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Both sides have proposed changes to the law to address this problem, but the proposals have died because the two sides cannot come to an agreement. Blaming one side for the failure of both sides to come to an agreement shows a failure to understand how government works.
 
Pup7 said:
They’re not used to “desensitize”. It’s your characterization that is completely incorrect.

As I’ve used them, I know what they’re for. They’re not video games in the same sense. They’re simulations. Training. How to react under fire. What a legal target is.

Cops use them too. We’ve had them for over 25 years, because I used them when I was enlisted in the 1990s.
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Yes, I’m not debating any of that. What I’m saying is that many of the video games that kids are using today are exactly the same as the simulations that the military uses.

Apparently some Army ground troops have said that they use video games such as “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2," “ARMA 2,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” for training. These are flat out video games. I would image they are not using them as part of their official training, but they are apparently being encouraged to play these games when off hours.

And as far as my “desensitizing” comment, I didn’t make that up. I read it somewhere. But I think the “desensitizing” comments were really about how to help combat troops with PTSD get back in the field. If I ever find the exact article I read, I will post it.



Regardless, my point is that kids are playing games that are essentially the same as what combat troops are using in simulators.

God bless
 
phil19034 said:
And as far as my “desensitizing” comment, I didn’t make that up. I read it somewhere. But I think the “desensitizing” comments were really about how to help combat troops with PTSD get back in the field. If I ever find the exact article I read, I will post it.
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That I have heard, but it was very easy to take it out of context in the way it was originally stated.
phil19034 said:
Regardless, my point is that kids are playing games that are essentially the same as what combat troops are using in simulators.
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Very similar, yes - I assuredly agree.
 
The idea that video games causes people to be murderers is laughable.
 
I understand how government works and so do Republicans.

If the Republicans introduced a piece of legislation that simply provided additional funding for mental health without adding amendments and riders related to partisan issues, Ryan should be able to get enough Republican to pass the bill. Having said that, a Democrat would find his or herself in a very precarious position if he or she voted against such a clean bill. So, Ryan would likely have Republican and Democratic votes.

Now, once it is in the Senate, McConnell would also have to do his job and ensure that no partisan amendments and riders make it into the bill. If the senate has such a clean bill on the floor, Democrats could not hold a filibuster because it would be political suicide to filibuster such a bill (especially for those Democratic senators from purple states). So, such a clean bill could pass the Senate as well.

President Trump has already expressed support for such a bill, so he would have no reason to veto.

All that is required is that leaders actually lead (Gasp! What a concept!). All that is required is that the leaders make a commitment to passing clean and bipartisan legislation.
 
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