People need to know gun laws

[stuckinthereeds]

So as a part of my job I pose a "question of the month" on the lobby of my building for students to answer. They will write their answers on this huge piece of paper by the question. Since this is an election year I am starting to do political questions. My question this month was: Gun Control, yes or no. Now even though I have my own personal thoughts on it, I need to remain partial and see what everyone else.

Well, one person said that it should be illegal for persons who are mentally disabled or disturbed to buy guns. Now maybe I am wrong, please correct me if I am, but isn't that a law. Isn't it illegal for people who have serious mental disibilities..."Those adjudicated as mental defectives or incompetents or those committed to any mental institution. (www.nra.org) Man, if your gonna spout your opinion, at least know your stuff

[Briman]

Yes, that question shows up on the 4473 form.
Along with a list of about 10 others including:
illegal drug use
conviction of a felony
conviction of domestic abuse.
restraining order issued against you
etc etc.

[Briman]

Unfortunately, I do not know where the line is drawn on Mental defects.
If you see a doctor and they believe you are mildly depressed, does that preclude making another gun purchase in your life?
I've heard of combat veterans who have been given treatment or counseling for post traumatic disorder being denied gun purchases.
I believe that homosexuality is sick and wrong, could a psychologist diagnose me as being a borderline personality or antisocial for saying such a thing?

[stuckinthereeds]

I've heard of combat veterans who have been given treatment or counseling for post traumatic disorder being denied gun purchases

My father fought in Vietnam and now has some type of post traumatic disorder and is also bipolar. I know he is only alowed to hunt with a bow. However, I do take him out for skeet and trap. Its the least I can do for him for protecting our country, not mentioning raising me well.

I believe that homosexuality is sick and wrong, could a psychologist diagnose me as being a borderline personality or antisocial for saying such a thing?

Good question. However, I believe there is a huge difference between a know mental defect such as being bi-polar and a persanal opinion. I would say if an antisocial behavior results in the harm of someone else or themself for whatever reason, then I would say maybe that person needs an assesment of their mental stabilty. However if you disagree with the homosexual lifestyle for whatever reason, that is your opinion. It isn't mental instablity, its just your opinion.

Its like me saying PETA is a piece of sh@t organization. Its my opinion, nothing wrong with that.

[Coastie]

There is a vast difference between a "Personality Disorder" and true mental conditions that would meet the definition of someone that could not purchase a gun. And yes there are already laws on the books that cover that.
Stuckinthereeds, you don't mention the age of the students where you work, what level are we talking about here, High School? Junior College? College age students? The remark left on your question would be very reasonable for anyone in any of these categories if they had no exposure to guns and gun ownership. If they had no background I wouldn't expect them to know the law associated with it anymore than I know the laws involved with running a Doctors practice.
At last count there were something in excess of 40,000 laws on the books related to firearms, nobody in the worls could possibly know all of them or even a fraction of them.
Perhaps that could be next months question: How many laws are there on the books related to firearms?

[messageman]

There are tons of crazy people who own firearms.

[stuckinthereeds]

I work as a dorm director at a small local college. The demographics of my building are approximatly 200 coed students, mainly freshman. Its a very liberal, rich hippy school. Parents pay for everything, students pay for nothing.