Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

In the LA Times this morning - Jared Loughner had several episodes at the community college he attended that led to his removal from the college. A police officer visited his home and talked to Loughner and his parents, stating that Jared would need some kind of mental evaluation before he could return to the campus. Loughner then voluntarily dropped out of college.

He also recently purchased the gun he used. In Arizona, you are not required to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Also, he fired off about 20 rounds before trying to reload - another thing that gun control advocates have tried to limit.

It sounds like all the warning signs were there, but apparently he didn't get the right kind of help that could have prevented this tragedy, and the political environment along with Arizona's lax gun laws made it easy for someone like Loughner to carry out his intentions.

Steven, I understand what you are saying about the shooter not getting the "right kind of help".

Unfortunately, the right kind of help for the mentally ill is nearly elusive in our country. Behavioral health units in hospitals retain people in crisis no more than a few days. State hospitals are full and discharge patients after a few weeks.

Then of course there is our precious civil rights, and I'm not being facetious when I use the term. People cannot be retained involuntarily for long stretches of time.

A patient can be "stabilized" with medication while in the facility, but if they go off their meds - and most do - the spiral begins again.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

NJ = no mags over 15 rounds

NYS = No mags over 10 rounds unless made prior to Sept. 13, 1994

NYC = No pistols mags over 17 rounds and the magazine must not protrude below the pistol grip

MA = No mags over 10 rounds unless made prior to Sept. 13, 1994 and unless you have a (Class A?) license.

MD = No magazines over 20 rounds

HI = No pistol mags over 10 rounds

CA = No mags over 10 rounds

OH = no mags over 31 rounds

Arizona = No restrictions of any kind.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven, I understand what you are saying about the shooter not getting the "right kind of help".

Unfortunately, the right kind of help for the mentally ill is nearly elusive in our country. Behavioral health units in hospitals retain people in crisis no more than a few days. State hospitals are full and discharge patients after a few weeks.

Then of course there is our precious civil rights, and I'm not being facetious when I use the term. People cannot be retained involuntarily for long stretches of time.

A patient can be "stabilized" with medication while in the facility, but if they go off their meds - and most do - the spiral begins again.

The incidences that happened at his local community college that led to a police officer visiting his home could have been indicated as a legal flag for when he went to purchase the gun, perhaps requiring a psychological evaluation before any firearm could be bought.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Maybe if we could figure out what produces these nut jobs here we might get insight into how to reduce their production over there.

Aspartame.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

from a gun website:

All of these these arbitrary, absurd, and unconstitutional "large capacity" magazine laws must be repealed in one way or another.

http://www.thehighro...ad.php?t=367340

Edited January 9, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

NJ = no mags over 15 rounds

NYS = No mags over 10 rounds unless made prior to Sept. 13, 1994

NYC = No pistols mags over 17 rounds and the magazine must not protrude below the pistol grip

MA = No mags over 10 rounds unless made prior to Sept. 13, 1994 and unless you have a (Class A?) license.

MD = No magazines over 20 rounds

HI = No pistol mags over 10 rounds

CA = No mags over 10 rounds

OH = no mags over 31 rounds

Arizona = No restrictions of any kind.

steven, given how fast one can swap out magazines, do you really think now is the time to rant about magazine capacities?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

The incidences that happened at his local community college that led to a police officer visiting his home could have been indicated as a legal flag for when he went to purchase the gun, perhaps requiring a psychological evaluation before any firearm could be bought.

I doubt it.

Mental health issues are subject to the same HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)regulations as any other medical treatment. I believe it takes a non-voluntary commitment to put a person on any lists for mental instability that might be used for control of purchasing a weapon. So merely receiving a visit from a police officer about "mental instability" would not have alerted anyone.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

steven, given how fast one can swap out magazines, do you really think now is the time to rant about magazine capacities?

Two brave men wrestled Loughner to the ground after emptied his first clip. He didn't get a chance to reload. They were unarmed and waited for him to run out of ammo.

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

Two brave men wrestled Loughner to the ground after emptied his first clip. He didn't get a chance to reload. They were unarmed and waited for him to run out of ammo.

did he have another magazine to reload? (it's a magazine, not a clip)

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

And in the meanwhile (since I have to depart the good company here due to family commitments) I would like to say how profoundly I hope that Admin will give Paul at least a "time out" for his actions in this thread. We have a lot of commentary going on in this thread (and others in which Paul participates) to warrant Admin taking a look at whether or not his behavior is enough to bring unwanted traffic to this community.

Edited January 9, 2011 by Rebecca Jo

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thread closed for review

After Administrative review, this thread is remaining closed for multiple TOS violations. Administrative action has also been taken.

Edited January 12, 2011 by Kathryn41