By TAYLOR FARNSWORTH
Staff Writer
In 2012 Americans mourned the death of 20 children, and 6 teachers at the hands of someone who was deemed mentally instable but had access to a gun. The reaction of President Obama during that time was to become adamant on stopping those with a mental disability from purchasing guns.
A regulation went into effect in December of last year putting those who are Social Security beneficiaries with a mental disability, and also have a trustee to manage their finances, onto the National Instant Criminal Background Security Check System, NICS, ultimately denying them the ability to purchase guns.
On Wednesday, that regulation was revoked by the Senate and House of Representatives.
The rule required that the Social Security Administration add those who were currently on disability support to the NICS. Their name on that database denied them their right to purchase a gun, but they had the power to appeal, if they felt it was necessary.
What constitutes as being classified as severely mentally disabled can range in different people’s perspectives, but the rule clarified those it was specifically targeting. The individuals required to be on that list mostly suffered from schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and other disabilities that made it so they were unable to take care of themselves or perform your most basic of tasks.
On Wednesday, The Republican Party majority decided that the regulation mistreated the mentally disabled and violated their Second Amendment Rights. In a Senate vote of 57-43, the Republican majority prevailed.
The Senate and House of Representatives’ decision to revoke the regulation poses a threat to public safety.
Guns in the hands of the severally mentally disabled are something to fear, as we saw back in Connecticut in 2012, or in the 2012 Aurora shooting.
Although the Second Amendment advocates for the right to bear arms, those who are incapable of taking care of themselves physically and financially should have no place for a gun.
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa argued that the rule could apply to those with eating disorders, further proving as justification as to why it was revoked. But the regulation does not simply state that anyone who has a disability cannot purchase a gun.
The rule states that it is only those whose are incapable of handling their own finances, and are unfit due to a mental disability that would have their information sent to the NICS.
It’ll come as no surprise when President Trump signs off on revoking the regulation put in place under the Obama-Era. Throughout his campaign he spoke highly of the National Rifle Association, and voiced his opinions on his disagreement with stronger gun control.
Most Republicans have argued for stronger laws pertaining to the care of the mentally disabled, as opposed to being on gun control. But how one can truly believe allowing those who can’t live their lives without consistent aid should have a gun is beyond my understanding.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting in Connecticut, Obama’s regulation was put in place primarily because Congress refused to enforce stricter gun control laws. The law was instated to ensure safety and to prevent something of this nature from repeating.
“I don’t know why we think that somebody who literally can’t manage their own financial affairs could be a responsible gun owner,” said Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut in regards to the recent repeal, “I hope something truly awful doesn’t happen because of this.”
