Why People with a Mental Illness Shouldn’t Be Denied Guns
I’m a mental illness advocate, but quite frankly, if I wasn’t, I could be an anti-gun advocate. I’m not a fan of guns. Not in the least. Pieces of metal designed to kill strike me as being archaic and barbaric and speak to the basest nature of humanity and are not particularly enlightened. This is not to suggest I would ban guns (if anyone cares) but there are types of guns I would ban and laws I would enact to limit access to weapons.
So now that you know my political leanings I say this: you cannot take away a person’s (legal) access to guns just because they have a mental illness. It’s wrong and it fundamentally violates their rights.
People with a Mental Illness are Violent
People with a mental illness are not more violent than the rest of the population en masse. People with a mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators of it.
The idea that people with a mental illness are violent has to do with media portrayals as it seems that killers can rarely be constructed on TV shows without them being given a mental illness.
But real life isn’t like that. Most people with a mental illness are more like me: I have never hurt another person, physically, and I can never see myself doing so.
Subsections of the Population that Are Violent
Now, as it happens, there is a subset of the mentally ill population that is known to be violent – those with a substance abuse problem. Would you like to know who else is known to be violent? Anyone with a substance abuse problem, whether they have another mental illness or not. This is a rather large group of people.
There is another subsection of the mentally ill population that also tends to be violent: those with a serious mental illness who are untreated. For example, people in psychosis can be violent when not in treatment, particularly if they also suffer from anosognosia. This is a tiny group of people. In fact, only 3-5% of violent acts are attributable to people with a serious mental illness and most of those do not involve guns.
Who Should be Denied Guns?
So who should be denied guns? Everyone with a mental illness just because a tiny portion of them may be violent? Or maybe people with a substance abuse problem because they are a much greater problem due to their numbers?
Should we keep a database of everyone who has ever been to an AA meeting or sought drug counselling? Just like tarring a person with a mental illness for life, should we keep people on this list forever?
Stupid.
Just as dumb as a keeping a big list of people with a mental illness. Who decides which mental illnesses should be included on this big list? What about people with multiple diagnoses? What about people whose diagnosis has changed over time?
And what about all the people who are successfully treated and living exactly the same type of life as everyone else?
Who Should Be Denied Guns
If you want to know who should be denied guns, I’m happy to tell you: people with a history of violence. Because if you want to know who may be violent then I suggest you look at their history. People who beat their wives, for example. Could we maybe deny them guns? People who abuse their children. People who beat up gays. People who beat up anyone. How about denying those people guns? (And yes, some people with a history of violence would have a mental illness, but the point is that they wouldn’t be judged on their illness, they would be judged on their actions.)
Denying People with a Mental Illness Guns is a Violation of Rights
Because mental illness is an illness – a medical illness – like any other. People with a mental illness haven’t done anything wrong and cannot be scarlet-lettered for a diagnosis which isn’t their fault and that they didn’t ask for. It’s penalizing people with an illness. That is not fair; that is not right; and quite frankly, it doesn’t even pass the sniff test. It’s like suggesting the people with cancer can’t own poodles in order to avoid poodle-violence. It’s stupid.
People Want to Protect Themselves from Violence
Yup, I get that people want to protect others (and themselves) from violence. That makes perfect sense. What does not make perfect sense is a knee-jerk reaction that blames a group of people who are, essentially, just like everyone else. Is my brain a mess? Yes it is. Does that mean I’m violent? No it doesn’t. And if I want to own a legal weapon, that is my right and denying it because I have a medical diagnosis is wrong. Period.
Studies on Mental Illness and Violence
Things you might like to read:
- People with a mental illness are more likely to be victims of domestic violence
- People with mental illness and substance abuse problems may also be more likely victims of violence too
- People with a mental illness who murder, “had extensive histories of substance abuse and criminal activity before their murder conviction. . .”
- Mania is not associated with severe violence
- Of people with a serious mental illness: “A large majority recognize that they are mentally ill, and they are treatment adherent, often able to work, and do not have major problems with substance abuse and violence. However, a substantial minority exists who receive little attention in the literature. They may not believe that they are mentally ill (the possible result of anosognosia), are nonadherent to psychiatric treatment, may have acute psychotic symptoms and serious substance abuse problems, may become violent when stressed. . .“
- “. . . variables other than schizophrenia are stronger predictors of violent behavior, wherein substance abuse and psychopathy were the most prominent predictors of violent behavior. . .”
- “Offenders [of severe violence] with psychosis were typically non-adherent to treatment, had co-morbid substance use and prior criminal convictions.”
And that represents about the last two years of research. I could go on and on but the crux of the matter is, we know who is violent, and it’s not the average person with a mental illness.
Denise - March 5, 2013 ←
I will say up front, I am mentally ill and love this article that you’ve written. Your ability to articulate is incredible. I wish I had that gift. Though my comments are not about the article, rather some of the comments.
I am having a hard time with the people who say that people with depressive disorders should not have a gun. You try living in this world as a depressed person and multiple other MI’s! It is very painful. I wish for you 1 hour in my head. You’d go insane and want a gun too!
What I also hear some of you say is that our children, our loved ones, etc are more important then we are, that our suffering is alright to go through so we don’t hurt anyone from our deaths. You want us to stay here and live in pain; our suffering is OK, we don’t deserve peace? Gee thanks. Compassion at it’s greatest.
Although not read here, there is a cliche’ I am sick of is, “It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”. Sorry folks, I am in my 50′s and this is not a temporary problem, it has been a life time of HELL that only gets worse with time.
If I want a gun and I want to kill myself, I believe I should have that right. If I want to kill myself, I WILL do it (with or without a gun) and if that means borrowing someones gun, I will. At least if I have my own gun, the person I borrowed it from won’t feel guilty that I used theirs. Besides, there are so many ways in which to kill yourself besides a gun.
Guns are not the issue, mental illness is not the issue, and suicide is not the issue. Violence in people IS the issue. If violence had not been an issue in my life, I think my problems would not have escalated to the point in which they have.
I know I’d never hurt anyone with a gun unless they were coming after me, but I know plenty of legal gun owners who should be in prison for past violent crimes.
I am a waste of resources for people who like it here. I have no medical insurance, can’t afford the pills they want me to take, and in 2012 alone, I have wasted over $100.000.00 (charity care) because I have been tucked neatly away into the mental wards (because therapist didn’t want me to die) a few times as well as in ICU from an OD. I was sooo close! Is that how you want your tax dollars spent? Personally, I’d rather see that money go to homes to help the poor and starving families! Just think of the money that could be saved if I had a gun!
Rusureuwant2know - February 14, 2013 ←
First of all, a “mental illness” is not – I repeat is not – a medical illness. Those diagnoses were not based on pathological or biological data, but created for billing purposes.
Second of all, a case could be made for everyone having a “mental illness” since we are all scared in some way and we all have “flashpoints” – but that does not mean we are about to pick up a gun and use it. Your next door neighbor, co-worker, or sales clerk is more likely to go off half-cocked than someone who has been diagnosed with a “mental illness”. That diagnosis means absolutely nothing. Having been committed at some point in the distant past means nothing – people have been wrongfully committed before. The people with diagnoses are those who’ve recognized they have problems – seems to me we should be more concerned about the rest of society since they are the ones that commit 95% of the violent crimes. The “mentally ill” are the last ones they should be looking at. BTW, can anyone tell me what “normal” is?
Denise - March 5, 2013 ←
Yes, mental illness is a medical illness. The body is one. Just because it cannot be measured like diabetes or blood pressure, does not mean it is not a medical illness. Check out a NAMI meeting in your neighborhood and learn.
will nist - March 5, 2013 ←
First off moderating a website means censorship. Anyone in a minority especially someone with “mental illness” should understand the evils of this and cease doing it. Or explain the political or forced constraints as why they are inhibited in doing so. As to my reply to the reply. Do not borrow the firearm to commit suicide as you are under increased scrutiny to follow the rules than others are, not to mention the enlightened or unaware individual who loaned you the firearm now faces almost certain abuse from the do gooder hand holding friends of the “mentally ill”. Mainly naive police and others who are members of NAMI and other politically correct, gov’t and other sponsored organization who tow the dehumanization line. NAMI is as useful as the the US dept. of health in protecting the rights of the “mentally ill”. I know a clip from a mag, a synapse from a neuron and someone who would hire a police office using a gun to take anothers gun. Like the US bombing Iran with nukes to prevent them from getting nukes. Who’s the aggressor here. Hypocrisy is a wonderful thing isn’t it. I’ll kill you with a gun, or hire someone else to because I’m afraid you may get one. Then I’ll justify this all in a slew of B.S. Grow up and learn to thing logically and with consistency.
will nist - February 2, 2013 ←
I wish people would understand treating a man like a child contributes to depression. Not respecting people and expecting them to respect you is irrational. I’m so tired of not just my depression but the paternalism and discrimination. I don’t know whats worse anymore.
will nist - February 2, 2013 ←
I, after the Newtown shooting response have decided to go into the closet about my depression. I will henceforth obtain my medications on the sly. Being open for 32 years with my depression and promised confidentiality I have come to the conclusion this always was and always will be impossible. I will begin to keep my illness as much a secret as if I were Jewish in Germany in the 30″s. The witch hunt is on people. Time to go underground.
will nist - February 2, 2013 ←
Yes. We will drive those who are mentally ill into the closet who enjoy shooting guns. Good move. The paranoia of those who aren’t mentally ill will win another battle. Like denying condoms to sexually active teenagers. The fools will always reign supreme.
kevin - January 30, 2013 ←
Good article. Largely agree with your perspective and with denying weapons to those that have history of violence. Unfortunately that still leaves a large contingent that may be in the future (and history shows us this happens), but I don’t see an easy answer for that one.
Rev. Katie - January 22, 2013 ←
Thank you for this post. I am really concerned that linking the need for better mental health care with violence is very much increasing the stigma against mental illness. I know large advocate groups like NAMI can’t really bring this up because it is best to take the health care changes but I do think some of us need to do something. Any suggestions on how we as a community can help not let this stigma of mental illness being linked to violence get out of hand while at the same time not implying that we don’t want mental health care?
http://www.bipolarspirit.com/2013/01/dont-let-new-gun-control-regulations.html?m=1
KG - January 18, 2013 ←
I see a number of assumptions that suicide by gun is the default method for suicidal mentally ill gun owners. Even if I wanted to die and had a gun, I’d never shoot myself. It’s messy, loud, and would leave a horror show behind for others to discover. Anyone have actual stats on this?
Susan - January 17, 2013 ←
Aside from gun control, if this whole mess leads to improved mental health services, that would be great! Especially after years of cutting services. THAT would be a very good thing.
Teresa - January 16, 2013 ←
I’m concerned about how the gun debate in America has spilled over to Australian gun debate, in which a trend seems to be forming that the blame for gun deaths are attributed to people who are mentally ill, I have seen little counter argument, the news on TV especially are contributing and every segment I have seen across the spectrum, sums it up as gun deaths=mentally Ill person.
Teresa - January 16, 2013 ←
I should be clearer about gun deaths=mentally ill, this does not include suicide attempts.
Sarah - January 17, 2013 ←
Yes this concerns me too. After awful mass-murder tragedies people are looking for some kind of reason, or answer, or some kind of response. I’ve had facebook friends post that there should be more services for the mentally ill to prevent future gun deaths. It’s simply a lack of understanding reinforced by the media.
People explain these shootings by “He must have just gone crazy” or “he wasn’t in his right mind”. They don’t like to think that a ‘normal’ person could have done something like that.
More and more I realise that the media has nothing to do with the facts of the situation. The media plays on the fears and other emotions of the viewers and doesn’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.
The implications of all of this are that people with real mental illnesses who are not dangerous at all, but need understanding and support, are instead feared by the community and even made a convenient scapegoat. People with bipolar, or schizophrenia, particularly in the early stages, are among the most vulnerable members of the community. We need the support and protection of the others – and in return we have many gifts to contribute.
The Bipolar Diva - January 14, 2013 ←
AMEN!
Joseph M. Bowers - January 14, 2013 ←
I have been institutionalized because of severe mental illness four times. But the last time was more than tewenty-five years ago. I am probably bioploar 1 although in 1964 I was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and no one has rediagnosed me since-simply sent for previous records. I clearly exhibited psychotic features, but have not been seriously psychotic in more than twenty-five years now.
I grew up around guns. There is a lot of hunting going on stil today in my home country. I was extremely well trained in the safe use of guns. I have never behaved violently toward anyone other than in football games. Truely no living human being alive today is more trustworthy with a firearm than myself.
Federal law, however, prohibits me from purchasing or owning a gun. This is because I have been found mentally unstable previously. There is no statute of limitations. If I live psychosis free for 1000 years, unless the laws change I will be prohibited from gun ownership.
Interpretation of the statute varies a little from place to place, but the above is basic fact.
Is this just? I think not.
Thank you for yet another well written collumn, Natasha
Ellen - January 14, 2013 ←
I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with this article on so many levels. People with mental illness are not more likely to be violent, except to themselves. Letting someone own a gun who has a high chance of becoming suicidal is tantamount to saying ‘Hope you succeed next time’.
In my opinion there is no reason for most people to own guns. Coming from a country that enacted fairly strict gun laws in 1996 the statistics are compelling. In the decade prior to the gun laws there had been 11 mass shootings, since then there have been none. Suicides by gun dropped by 65% and homicides by 59% with no increase in non-firearm-related homicides.
As you can tell I’m a strong advocate for gun laws to limit what type of guns are allowed, and who can own one. But in the meantime I don’t think anyone who is likely to become suicidal should own one. They may be quite stable at the time of buying a gun, but we know that a lot of suicide attempts are impulsive and having a highly lethal method of death in the house is irresponsible. I don’t even own any ropes for that same reason.
Phil Jordan - January 14, 2013 ←
My brother gave me a .38 several years ago. Later, when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I gave it to a friend to keep in his gun safe.
Guns are the most efficient killing machines and I really don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone with a depressive illness to have a gun in the house. It’s way too easy to kill yourself. Your chances of using it on yourself verses on an intruder are not stacked in your favor.
I’m in no way against guns if people know how to use them and know how to store them. Bad guys can always find a gun. To make it nearly impossible for a good guy to buy a gun…well, you figure it out..
Virginia F. - January 14, 2013 ←
Phil, you said it perfectly. Thank you. V.
Virginia F. - January 14, 2013 ←
Very good article Natasha. However, I think guns shouldn’t be allowed to be kept by someone with a mental illness. Only for the fact that suicide is an increasing risk among the mentally ill. While some argue when a person is suicidal they will find a way, I think a gun is a too quick solution and leaves little room for the few who were rescued when trying to commit suicide, unsuccessfully. Guns produce finality 99% of the time.
Betsy - January 14, 2013 ←
Gun activists want a scapegoat…..it were blacks they didnt want to own guns before….I do not like guns — they have the power to kill a person as do tons of other things (ex. An autimobile). Your presentation of your point was excellent…..I am a victim of rape and it seems people would rather talk about guns than rapists in the news…guns instead of human trafficking…. for me being dead sounds much easier than being a slave in the sex trade…gor me being dead seems easier than being completely psychotic with an inability to help one’s self and with no one
intervening… a gun can quickly kill someone.. a person with a mental illness without access to mental health care can easily be killed just much slower
Betsy - January 14, 2013 ←
My post below was written on my phone and I wanted to edit it – couldn’t, so adding more: What I meant to say was I’d rather be well than ill, I’d rather not be involved (in) the sex trade as a sex slave, and I’d rather people who are psychotic to get treatment. Using the “death would be easier for me” was a bit much, over-the-top. I apologize for shocking comments.
Susan - January 14, 2013 ←
Very well written and stated. May I share the link with two private Facebook groups (Everyday Aspergers and Bipolar Disorder / Manic Depression United!)? Thank you for writing this!
Natasha Tracy - January 14, 2013 ←
Hi Susan,
Absolutely :)
- Natasha Tracy
Raine - January 14, 2013 ←
I completely agree with you, and it is nice to read that someone else agrees with me. Sometimes I think everyone thinks people with a mental illness shouldn’t be allowed guns. Of course they should, it’s protected by law.
El Farris - January 14, 2013 ←
Well-said!
VenusH - January 14, 2013 ←
So does this mean you are off the Torrey-Jaffe bandwagon?
I am pleasantly suprised to read such article here.
Natasha Tracy - January 14, 2013 ←
Hi VenusH,
I was never on any “bandwagon.” I happen to have some of the same opinions as DJ Jaffe but my writings reflect my opinions, which are mine and not his.
Like me or hate me, you can’t blame him.
- Natasha Tracy
Sarah - January 14, 2013 ←
If there were no guns, then nobody would get shot. Violence would still happen though, as it has throughout the history of time. Human beings are dangerous creatures, and in order to be safe, we all should splice our genes with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, then the only way people would get hurt is by choking on a hairball.
Seriously though. What really upsets me is portrayal of mental illness in the media. I never noticed it before, but it seems that mentally ill people are lower in regard than criminals, because at least criminals can be rehabilitated. If your brain is not fully functional then your status as a human is in question. The references to mentally ill in the media are sometimes direct, sometimes indirect, and sometimes made without even realising it. It’s very very hurtful.
I was once a professional who everybody looked up to. Now I’m the same person with the same values, the same capabilities and potential, but with an illness to recover from and manage. It seems I’m at the bottom of the heap now, whether I am dealing with the government welfare agency or my professional registration body I am scum and I am dangerous. I need to be monitored and I need to be pushed around, according to the powers that be, even though I’m probably more careful and conscientious than any of them.
Yes fight for equal rights of the mentally ill.
Perhaps not for guns.
MPalafox - January 13, 2013 ←
Im very sorry, but i couldnt disagree with you more. Ask any staff member who works in a locked psychiatric facility, ask the family of an unstablelized loved one, ask law enforcement- who says a psychiatric emergency is one of their most dangerous and unpredicatable calls they go on. If the mental health community stated the truth, they would say, those with unstabelized mental illness are more apt to be violent towards self, in the form of suicide, self harm and mutilation than towards others. How can we ignore suicide rates where 65% of males use a hand gun? Unless you dont think any of these things are violent? How can we be so far apart on this issue? I understand not wanting to perpetrate an awful sterotype, but not acknowledging this ugly truth discrminates against those who suffer a psychotic disorder, harms those in a state of psychosis and prevents these vulnerable patients from the right to treatment they deserve.
MPalafox - January 13, 2013 ←
Sorry, I completely disagree. I wish i didnt. I dont like the truth, but those in a state of psychosis are highly unpredictable, often agitated and combative. Ask any staff member who works in a locked psychiatric facility, ask any parent of an unstabelized family member, ask law enforcement- who will tell you their most dangerous and unpredictable call is a psychiatric emergency. They arrest the MI for assault and battery everyday-in every city. Are are all these groups magnifying the truth and lying?? If the mental health community was going to be truthful, they would say…those with untreated mental illness are more apt to be violent towards self in the form of suicide, self harm and mutilation> than towards others. Unless you dont think suicide is a form of violence. 65% of males use a hand gun to commit suicide. Why are you completely ignoring violence towards self?
Paul Komarek - January 13, 2013 ←
Hello Natasha
You’re right, if the only thing you focus on is risk of violence against others. But risk of suicide is a different and much bigger risk for people with mental illness. People who are at risk of suicide should have zero access to guns. There are 30,000 gun deaths in the US annually, and 19,000 are suicides.
–pk—
VenusH - January 14, 2013 ←
Many suicides happen by OD-ing on prescribed drugs. Does this mean that crazies shouldn’t have access to prescribtion medicines? If they live in cities with tall buildings or cliffy areas… should they be relocated somewhere safer?
it’s individual decision about own safety. if somebody wants to die, they will find a way.
Paul Komarek - January 14, 2013 ←
We just need to recognize what promotes safety, what increases risk of harm. And when things get really tough, we must do whatever we must to keep each other safe.
The bottom line is that when a person is suicidal, they should not have access to lethal means. No guns, no meds, no kitchen knives. Friends and family should make sure the person is never left alone. Everyone should stay in touch with medical providers, the local crisis line, or the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-8255.
If people cycle into suicidality, it’s trickier, but that’s what communication and planning are for. We need to talk with each other about what we are going through in order to adapt to changing levels of risk.
Yes, it’s hard to face up to the loss of autonomy or loss of rights or privileges. No one wants to have to deal with tough emotions either. But if we’re prudent we are much more likely to survive all that, and have a chance to focus on getting better over the long haul.
–pk—
Joanne Shortell - January 13, 2013 ←
You and I often disagree, but on this subject we’re completely in tune. If guns are too dangerous for people with mental illness, statistically speaking they’re too dangerous for men.
I’ve been meaning to write something very similar to this, but now I’ve no need to do so. Thank you!
MTBradley - January 13, 2013 ←
Very well stated.
One thing I want to point out is that gun rights advocates tend to become (justifiably, in my opinion) dismissive of anti-gun types when the latter is unwilling or unable to distinguish a clip from a mag. I am just as dismissive of either and both when they are unable to distinguish a mental illness from a neurological disorder.