I agree with Sludge, as usual. But it is difficult for someone who is incapacitated to make that right decision. The 5150 law was written not only for the safety of the caregivers but for the life of the patient with PTSD. We all know the danger we face to ourselves. If you have guns and you have PTSD, it's a good idea to have them stowed. It's too easy. I have been there.
One VA psych doctor in California was asked about PTSD being the cause of a killing in some other state, Kansas, I think. She said it's usually not PTSD but some other reason for violence on another person. But that depends on the circumstance. She feels that most cases of violence against another person by a person with PTSD can be blamed on previous history of violence or other pychological conditions -- psychosis, paranoia, etc. But others would disagree. In all cases , they do agree the likelihood of violence is the sufferer harms himself rather than another person.
If someone wants to kill himself or someone else, as discussed they could use practically anything to do it. Even a credit card has a sharp edge. A large plastic bag. Alcohol imbibition. Pills. A heart punch. Hanging. So-called "police suicide." But nothing is as quick and dirty as a gun.
As to gun control in general, I am riding the fence. I think the average person has a right to defend his home but they don't have a right to carry a weapon to a bank or the grocery store. Here in Arizona, it might as well be the Wild West. I see kids that don't look 18 carrying pistols to the friggin' grocery store.
Nor do they have a right to own a gun or weapon that will kill mulitple people quickly. A .50 cal or recoiless rifle is a bit much. And has anybody thought that a high capacity magazine will cause a jam? We had to tap the magazine on our head before we reloaded to make sure the rounds would load properly. And those were usually 15 or 20 round mags. (Now I think -- correct me -- they are 30 at military issue.) The rifles jammed for the shooters in Colorado, Oregon, and Connecticut and who knows what smaller incidents.
And I can fire a semi as fast an auto and hit the target even better. A large rubber band will turn an AR-15 semi to full auto. (Not safely I might add.)
But I still prefer a good old .45. Can't hit the shithouse but it sures lets'em know you are there.
