bellisarius
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2017
- Posts
- 16,761
That is what makes any proposed legislation difficult.
In the UK obviously we don't have the US constitution but we still have a problem with mentally ill people and guns. It is a tiny problem compared with the US. Our Police have the right to remove even shotguns from someone who is considered a danger to themselves or others because of mental illness.
However, getting a medical professional to certify that someone is a danger is very difficult. If they do, it might be time-limited for a crisis. Once that crisis is over the gun owner can get their gun(s) back.
A worse problem is vehicle drivers. Relatives may be extremely worried that someone with poor eyesight, mental illness or senility is continuing to drive. Getting the individual to stop driving when they don't want to can be very difficult. Even a doctor's opinion might not be enough and family arguments can occur.
The number of deaths in the UK caused by mentally ill people having access to guns is tiny.
The number of deaths in the UK caused by drivers who are physically or mentally incapable is also tiny. It is far outnumbered by drivers who have caused death by driving when impaired by using alcohol and drugs.
We have legislation to prevent those who are mentally ill having access to guns.
We have legislation to prevent those who are physically or mentally incapable from driving vehicles.
Time and time again there are incidents when the legislation has failed to prevent an incident.
We can ban drivers for months or years. Police arrests and court records show that some people will just ignore the ban. In the UK banned drivers cause more deaths than mentally ill people with guns or incapable drivers continuing to drive.
Devising legislation is going to be very difficult.
So do we Ogg. They just aren't reported or enforced if they have been reported.