In the wake of the assassination attempt of Arizona Rep Gabrielle Giffords, I ask one question. When do you draw the line and not take mental illness as the explanation for these horrendous mass shooting events??

The gunman in this particular case was taken into custody. He did not commit suicide, which happens in many of these mass shootings. There have been claims on the internet that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and that should completely explain his actions. For most, the investigation into what really happened while go no further. That is supposed to explain it all. He could have done this out of anger, among other things, but will we ever figure that out? So many of these events link psychiatric disorders to violence by the media, where sometimes the real evidence is never seen or mentioned. A severe mental illness is not an explanation for violence. You hear about the story nightly on the news and the new developments into the character of this man and why he suffers from this. Always ending with the BIG question, WHY???

I am not saying that violence from mental illness does not happen, or should not be blamed. I know from personal experience that this can happen, and does happen. But when do we draw the line and say that these people that are experiencing possible hallucinations or delusions are fit enough to be in society? This does not condone their criminal acts, nor should it. Why is it that when people put these ideas out there, mostly online, that no one listens? We just sit there and do nothing about it. With this constant misrepresentation, it's not surprising that the public sees mental illness as an easy explanation for these tragic events. We haven't learned all the details of this shooting in Arizona, but I suspect mental illness will be falsely accused many times over.

Sure, everyone has got something to say about this issue. But when will these people be held accountable for their actions and not just blame it on mental illness? Well in most of these mass shooting the shooter(s) take their own lives and they never live to be held accountable for their actions. In this latest case, the guy is in custody. He will face a judge and be prosecuted. OR WILL HE??? Maybe claiming mental illness will get this man off. That remains to be seen.

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