Study suggests confiscating personal weapons from suicidal service members

militarytimes.com | August 20, 2019 | Meghann Myers

[metmom]

If they are suicidal, they’ll find some other way to do it.

Here’s an idea.......

Instead of confiscating their guns, how about dealing with the reason they are suicidal?

Then their guns won’t be an issue.

[setter]

South Koreas suicide rate is about 2-3 times per capita of the US.

I believe highest suicide rate in the world.

No guns but 55+% throw themselves off of buildings while our suicides are 52% firearms. US suicides jumping off of buildings is around 5% or less.

As you said people wanting to commit suicide will find a away.

[Ben Hecks]

If they get this, the next step will be to assume that any service member who has served in combat has had, has or might possiblyl have PTSD must surrender their personal weapons as a precautionary measure.

[grumpygresh]

Well don’t go to a psychiatrist.

BTW, psychiatrists have a high siucide rate, so if it’s better to judge people by their actions, you’re better off anyways.

[grumpygresh]

That’s interesting. It seems like a worldwide phenomenon with suicides going up among the millenials here.

In the U.S. I think the illicit drugs are probably another popular means, in combination with alcohol and firearms.

But, the public doesn’t seem to want to know the root causes of suicide so they try to blame guns, alcohol, drugs. I think everyone knows why but people in government will never admit it.

It’s the continued assault on the traditional family structure and Judeo-Christain values.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Again, if a person is a danger to himself/herself or others, taking their gun away won’t stop them from renting a truck and plowing down a crowded sidewalk or taking a handful of sleeping pills. If a person can’t be trusted with a gun, they should be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital until they are stable.

[PROCON]

I agree but keep in mind, this is about military personnel.

You surrender many of your Constitutional rights when you join.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Those rights are restored after you leave the military.

[familyop]

So it’s about active personnel under the UCMJ and depressed enough to possibly commit suicide. How about having them turn in weapons for safekeeping as a temporary measure until confirmed to be stable for a reasonable period of time? Smart civilians or their families would do the same for themselves if depressed to that extent. At least have a trusted family member, friend or commercial service keep them secured, until the affected person’s condition is all clear. It’s an interesting problem.

As an aside, people talk much about the broad generalization label, PTSD. That’s quite a racket for psychs, authors, screenwriters and others. One can think or obsess about the past, but one cannot live in the past. The past isn’t happening. The present is, and the future will.

As for scanning the terrain or looking behind doors, so what? Those are only physical habits that don’t need to be accompanied by emotions—good habits for millions of people with long term experiences in dangerous environments or duties related to various kinds of security services. And you’re not alone.

Find a comfortable position. Think about something that is both peaceful and enjoyable right now. During the moment after this one, keep doing that. Put on some easy listening music or a recording of ocean waves and seagulls. Breath slowly through the nose into the abdomen, and exhale through the mouth. Then think of nothingness for fifteen minutes.