Introduction
It is assumed that all psychological and behavioral processes, whether normal or abnormal, are a result of improper brain function. A rational corollary is that all psychiatric disorders are due to abnormal brain functioning.
Psychiatric disorders caused by known organic causes are called the mental organic disorders. These are behavioral or psychological disorders associated with transient or permanent brain dysfunction.
They include only those mental and behavioral disorders that are due to cerebral disease. Mass destruction should be evaluated on the basis of a person’s motives and not only on their mental stability (Ahuja 2002).
Singling out of the mentally ill
It is quite unfortunate that people suffering from mental instability are not allowed to possess guns since they are bound to pose a danger to those around them. This is justified because individuals who are mentally challenged lack rational judgment.
In most cases, these people are not in control of their actions. For example, when a mentally challenged person is angry he/she will most likely vent out their anger without evaluation of the possible consequences.
In certain cases, they may avenge a wrongful deed committed by a single person by shooting the entire group. There have been cases of mass shooting in schools perpetrated by a mentally unstable student.
When taken to court, such individuals are often taken to a psychiatric for evaluation, after which a verdict is made. Therefore, it is logical that such individuals should not have access to guns (Knoll, 2013).
Administrative details
It is imperative that the mentally ill be registered in the federal registry so as to take control of gun ownership. In as much as they may have no intentions of causing any danger, they sometimes act irrationally and this might lead to mass murders. People with mental illness are unpredictable.
This is the reason as to why dangerous weapons should be kept out of their reach as a preventive measure. Keeping a register ensures that guns and weapons are only handed over to those who are mentally stable. This helps to control damage.
Moreover, administrative details ought to be given for proper and accurate record keeping. This helps avoid mistakes that might result in the acquisition of guns by the mentally ill.
Keeping a register is a cheaper preventive measure of curbing mass destruction than sorting out the damage once it has occurred (Knoll, 2013).
An individual is usually declared mentally unstable by qualified personnel. This happens after thorough professional evaluation and assessment. A psychiatrist monitors the behavioral changes in a person, from which he/she weighs the individual’s mental stability.
It is the level of mental instability that is used to determine whether the individual is in control of his/her actions or not. Moreover, this level determines one’s suitability for rational use of weapons.
Afterwards, the patient undergoes a psychiatric treatment, during which the doctor makes a decision on how long one should be on the register. The doctor also decides when the patient has fully recovered and is in a position to handle a gun.
Conclusions
Mental illness has been associated with violence. However, such judgment should not only be based on one’s mental status but also on one’s perpetration of a crime.
Dangerous weapons like guns should, however, be kept away from those who cannot use them wisely, whether they are mentally ill or are just emotionally distressed (Knoll, 2013).
References
Ahuja, N. (2002). A short textbook of psychiatry (5th Ed.). New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers.
Knoll, J. (2013). Mass destruction: Equating mental illness with ‘evil’. Web.