Abstract
Over years, research has linked issues on teens getting access to guns and firearms in general. Of late, the concern has heightened because of the incidences where the teens are getting access to guns stored in their homes in places that are unlocked. Teens are either getting irresponsible with the guns even when they are mentally normal while others are turning to guns when they become depressed or extremely angry. They do this to commit suicide or even harm others especially if they are under influence of drugs if not out of anger. On the other hand, mental illness and handling of guns have also been focused with a suggestion that, if somebody has a history of mental health or has ever attempted to commit suicide, he/she should not be allowed to purchase guns. In this research paper, the issue of teens, mental illness, and guns will be addressed with a close analysis of the relationship between the three.
The connection between teen, mental illness, and use of guns
Research has shown that there is a close connection between teens, mental illnesses such as depression, and guns because, from studies done, one in five teens almost always suffer mental illness before the age of 18 years. According to (Zimring, 1998 pp45-49) “This leads to a teen getting into risk of either suicide or attacking other teens using guns if they get access to them”. For example, among the leading causes of death in Washington, suicide is the second among teens, and a higher percentage of such teens use guns to commit suicide.
(Gorski, 1993) argued that, there are many reasons why guns are potential risks when being handled by teens. First, a gun is quick and also deadly and when a teen decides to use it to commit suicide; which is a short-term crisis, they prefer to use guns if they are easily accessible because it makes their work easier. (Rosenfeld, 1999 pp27-29) said “This is possible because in most homes where there are guns, they are usually not locked and so it is easy for the teen to get them”. Research has shown that, most of the teens who are successful in committing suicide will have gotten guns to do so from either their homes or from their relatives.
Solution that would protect the family from violence caused by youth using guns is to ensure that, all guns are removed from homes especially if there is a teen or any other member in the family who has a mental illness such as depression or is taking drugs including excessive alcohol (Gordimer, 1999). If guns have to be kept at home, they have to be safely kept by locking them up to reduce the ease at which such risky individuals would access them. It is also advisable to unload the guns before storing them in a lockbox. Trigger lock should also be used on all guns and this is encouraged even when they are locked up where the bullets should then be locked in a different place. Teens are also aware where most of the devices requiring keys are kept and therefore such devices should be avoided. It is also important to ask the teens if they are aware of where guns are kept when they have gone to visit their friends in other homes. (Miller, 1997)
Teens learn the behavior of using guns to engage in violence from other members of their families as well as peers. They also learn from the general community and materials from television and the internet all of which reinforce such behaviors. A teen is likely to result to using guns and engage in violence if he/she is threatened using guns or is harshly punished including sexual abuse and this may make him/her violent to others. Research has shown that, even when teens look normal and healthy, they do not “think” before acting because they are led by instincts with low reasoning. The situation becomes worse when they are angry or when undergoing depression because in such situations, they are likely to commit suicide or harm their colleagues if they get access to guns. Research has indicated that, chances of suicide taking place in a home with a gun are 5 times more in comparison with those that do not have. A teenager who is suspected of trying to commit suicide should be handled by a professional who is qualified in mental health. This professional would assist the teens to control anger and how to express frustrations appropriately as well as being responsible for their actions through acceptance of consequences. Problems in schools and family conflicts should be addressed immediately and in a fair manner so that the teens may feel appreciated and considered in problem-solving. (Valenstein, 2008)
Mental illness and guns
The tragedy that occurred in April 2007 at Virginia Tech University has attracted much attention regarding the handling of firearms and mental illness. The tragedy left about 50 individuals dead if not injured. The incidence has since then led several people to vote for firearm control that is stricter in the United States. However, there have been mixed reactions regarding the issue because some people having personal agendas. In June 2007, a bill was passed that required funding by the state to update the FBI’s system with information on criminals as well as those who have been judged as mentally ill. If this had been done earlier, the Virginia tech shooting would not have occurred because Cho would not have purchased the gun. National rifle association on the other hand does not support guns being owned by everybody and more so if a person is mentally defective. If a person has ever suffered a mental illness or has ever attempted to commit suicide, no access to guns should be permitted for him/her. However, it has not yet been clarified on whether the access would be blocked permanently or it would only operate when the state of mind of the person is being doubted. (Bender, 2006)
Nowadays, there are always questions on health whenever one intends to purchase a gun. This appears on federal as well as state applications of such purchases where in most cases, a person would be asked to state whether they have ever been involuntarily committed to an institution of mentally unfit or declared incompetent. Research has indicated that most buyers of guns will respond negatively to the question by saying “No” and then proceed to answer the next questions. It is therefore quite unfortunate that authorities in both federal and state governments do not take time and precautions to verify the validity of such answers. Everybody would expect that, if a person has a serious mental illness, he/she should be denied the right to buy firearms. The majority of those people who buy guns do it on the assumption that authorities in federal and state government have the accuracy of answers given verified. When a prospective purchaser of guns is through with purchase applications, the dealer calls the FBI to request for the check of the name in the data which is normally expected to be accurate. However, it is unfortunate because NICS records may not be accurate regarding involuntary hospital commitment on mental health as this may not be included in the database and when included, it may not be easy to access due to lack of effective computer networking through interstate. It is therefore possible to have quite some mentally ill people getting access to guns and later harming themselves or other people even when they have followed the right procedure in the purchase of firearms through federal and state application. (Scott, 2006)
In summary, it is not possible to change the way teens behave especially when angry or depressed and so the best solution to their use of guns to commit crime or suicide is to keep guns out of their reach. For adults, research has shown that there should be stricter measures and validation in testing if a person has any history of mental illness before they are allowed to purchase firearms even when they have undergone the required federal and state application for the purchase of guns. (Harris, 1998)
References
Bender E. (2006): Most states say mental illness reason to bar gun ownership: Am Psychiatric Assoc PP38-44.
Gordimer N. (1999): The house gun: Penguin Books PP37-42-21.
Gorski D. (1993): Interpersonal violence among youth: A challenge for school personnel: Springer PP17-22.
Harris B. (1998): Beliefs related to unintentional firearm injuries among children and youth in the southwest: Elsevier PP23-27.
Miller J. (1997): Assessing parenting competency in individuals with severe mental illness: A comprehensive service: Springer PP18.
Rosenfeld R. (1999): Facilitating violence: A comparison of gang-motivated, gang-affiliated, and non-gang youth homicides: Springer pp27-29.
Scott C. (2006): Violence risk assessment in persons with mental illness: Elsevier PP54-57.
Valenstein M. (2008): Mental Illness, Previous Suicidal, and Access to Guns in the United States: Am Psychiatric Assoc PP16-19.
Zimring F. (1998): American youth violence: Oxford University Press, USA pp45-49.