Ready, Aim, You're Fired

Since the election of Donald Trump, the emotional stability of American society has begun to deteriorate. Street demonstrations from both the left and the right are on the rise. Violence over the Trump administration's immigration ban is growing. Ongoing uncertainties about the Russian hacking scandal seem to grow with the hour; concern over the Republican assault on the Affordable Care Act and what it will mean to the stability of the healthcare system in the United States is spreading daily; volatility in the stock market has made some investors rich and wiped out others.

The tremors appear in all directions with disturbing implications of what might come. What's the reaction of the nation's leaders to these troubling events? Put more guns in the hands of the mentally ill.

 In the United States, a person with untreated schizophrenia and a history of violent behavior has the right to own firearms. Psychiatric disorders such as depression are often a factor in suicide, which accounts for more than half of the annual gun fatalities.

From 2007-2017 the country witnessed the growth of tragic shootings, many of which were perpetrated by gunmen who suffered from serious mental illnesses, many using firearms that were purchased legally.

There has been a great deal of conversation about what more can be done to keep firearms away from such individuals. With a psychotic occupant of the White House, and Congress prostrate before the NRA, any hope for positive change will have to wait.