On the gun debate, there are those who believe that better mental health screening is critical while others think this would be an infringement on their right to own and enjoy firearms.
This issue is polarizing; and if you understand the laws, you see that both sides have merit to their arguments.
Mental health is always evolving in its definition and that is where the fear lies. 30 years ago, an excitable little boy who did not want to sit in school would be classified as “a little boy”. Today he is classified as mentally ill, “ADHD” and medicated.
Right now owning a gun is not considered a mental illness. But fringe groups want it classified as such. Public pressure, can change the opinion of science. Prior to the 70’s homosexuality was considered a mental illness. Science did not change that definition; pressure and politics did. That same pressure can change the definition for gun owners. Then wanting to own a gun is a mental illness which invalidates your ability to buy one. After that, arguing that you need one is irrelevant: you have grocery stores so don’t need to hunt. You don’t need to be a competition shooter; join the reserves. You don’t need self-defense, you have the police.
In Canada if you have been treated for a mental illness, it will almost certainly disqualify you for a firearms license. So if you enjoy shooting but you want to see a medical practitioner for your depression or PTSD you will be denied your hobby. We need people to seek help when they are not mentally well, while the current system encourages you not to get help.
So what is the solution? Specificity. Instead of using a blanket statement that uses a changing mental health system as the basis for definition, all reasons should be spelt out and codified in law so what we consider to be normal today will remain the same definition 20 years from now protecting us from politics and pressure. Also, those who seek mental help should not be penalized. In fact those who seek mental help should be exempt from even needing to report it.
The only mental cases that should be reported are those people who do not voluntarily seek help AND meet the codified definitions laid out in the law. This would weed out those who are actually dangerous from those who are temporarily sick and want to get better.
