General Discussion

apples and oranges

(1,451 posts) Mon Jun 10, 2013, 11:42 AM Jun 2013

If psychiatric analysis were required before every gun sale, would Bachmann, West, or Paul pass?

The NRA says it's about mental illness, not guns. I agree that mental illness can play a role, but it's not the only problem.

However, since that's the only type of gun control the NRApublicans are interested in, maybe democrats should compromise and make gun sales conditional upon passing a drug test and psych assessment (testing for mental/mood disorders) before every gun purchase? I think that could potentially have the same result as an outright gun ban.

To get a gun in Japan, first, you have to attend an all-day class and pass a written test, which are held only once per month. You also must take and pass a shooting range class. Then, head over to a hospital for a mental test and drug test (Japan is unusual in that potential gun owners must affirmatively prove their mental fitness), which you'll file with the police. Finally, pass a rigorous background check for any criminal record or association with criminal or extremist groups, and you will be the proud new owner of your shotgun or air rifle. Just don't forget to provide police with documentation on the specific location of the gun in your home, as well as the ammo, both of which must be locked and stored separately. And remember to have the police inspect the gun once per year and to re-take the class and exam every three years.

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/

5 replies

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If psychiatric analysis were required before every gun sale, would Bachmann, West, or Paul pass? (Original Post) apples and oranges Jun 2013 OP

The problem is "evil" isn't in DSM-IV, and probably won't be in V Recursion Jun 2013 #1

Paul would. He's the kind of psychopath that can "beat the system". Scuba Jun 2013 #2

Paul only seems sane when there are no follow up questions. apples and oranges Jun 2013 #5

Who would construct the "test?" What standards would you want? Eleanors38 Jun 2013 #3

LOL. And what about Congress? ananda Jun 2013 #4

Recursion

(56,582 posts)

1. The problem is "evil" isn't in DSM-IV, and probably won't be in V

Reply to apples and oranges (Original post)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 11:44 AM

Jun 2013

I mean, Lanza was "crazy" in a casual sense, but was he technically "mentally ill"? That's not as simple a distinction to make.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

2. Paul would. He's the kind of psychopath that can "beat the system".

Reply to apples and oranges (Original post)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 12:09 PM

Jun 2013

Bachman and West would be denied.

apples and oranges

(1,451 posts)

5. Paul only seems sane when there are no follow up questions.

Reply to Scuba (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 12:49 PM

Jun 2013

Paul's true belief system is vile and he tries to hide it by espousing libertarian values that he doesn't truly believe in. Perfect examples include his flip flops on the civil rights act and drones. Then again, maybe you're right. Is there a specific mental diagnosis for racists and liars?

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)

3. Who would construct the "test?" What standards would you want?

Reply to apples and oranges (Original post)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 12:12 PM

Jun 2013

Noted the real intent of the law you cited was the same intent of the gone-with-the-wind D.C. Law overturned by the Heller decision: The clinical and systematic dis-arming (i.e., stopping self-defense) of "gun-owners" without calling it "an outright gun ban."

You clearly want a ban, and that should inform you and anyone else as to the credibility, honesty and dispassionate scienciness of this ...proposal.

ananda

(28,877 posts)

4. LOL. And what about Congress?

Reply to apples and oranges (Original post)

Mon Jun 10, 2013, 12:17 PM

Jun 2013

The Reeps there seem pretty sociopathic and/or demented to me.

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