Some people say, “No more gun laws! We can solve the problem of gun violence in America by helping folks with mental illness.”
Effective gun laws or effective help for people with “issues?” False choice. Don’t take the bait. It’s not an either/or thing.
Reducing violence is a worthy goal. We all agree. So how do we make progress toward that goal?
- Make it more difficult for individuals with violent intentions to get their hands on weapons.
- De-stigmatize mental illness and provide effective, affordable, accessible community resources for individuals and families.
Not either/or. Both.
One more thing… the solution must also include teaching kids how to manage their emotions so no one gets hurt.