With the recent tragedy at the Navy Yard last week, the gun control debate is back in the national spotlight. However, the debate seems as familiar as ever to those who have experienced it before. The same arguments are thrown around in the same fashion as the last time the country was struck by a mass shooting. What is odd is what is getting pushed to wayside time and time again. While the NRA and the influence of violent video games take center stage, one factor continues to go astray: mental illness.
Aaron Alexis, the perpetrator of the Navy Yard shooting, showed signs of mental illness on numerous occasions. When asked about his stability, Nutpisit Suthamtewakul, a friend of Alexis, had this to say: “He always thought someone was trying to hurt him, he was afraid of people.”
Suthamtewakul claims that Alexis often carried a loaded weapon on his person and he showed signs of paranoia. After being discharged from the Navy Reserves for repeated misconduct, Alexis complained to the police about hearing voices, was arrested for firing a gun through his ceiling and was later reported having shot out the back tire of a car. He had even sought help from Veterans’ Affairs hospitals around the capital. Alexis received treatment on Aug. 23 when he visited the emergency room at the VA Medical Center in Providence, R.I.
In hindsight, it is clear Alexis wasn’t stable. This is particularly clear after the phrase “my elf weapon” was found etched in his weapon. The shooting could have and should have been prevented. Had he received proper treatment, as he sought out, it is quite possible that both Alexis and his 12 victims would be alive today.
It would be easy to make the excuse that hindsight is 20/20. However this is not the first time the country has been in this situation. Numerous violent acts have been committed with mental illness as the culprit. Sandy Hook Elementary: Adam Lanza was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, SID and also had been observed showing an interest in mass killings. Aurora Century movie theater: James Holmes was diagnosed as mentally unstable, possibly bipolar and is currently undergoing treatment at the Colorado Mental Health Institute. Columbine High School: Eric Harris was deemed a certifiable psychopath. His accomplice, Dylan Klebod was deemed depressive.
These were only three of many occurrences in which mental illness has shown itself to be a major factor in the gun control debate. Yet, despite these examples and a study by the NIMH which found that those with both mental illness and substance abuse are seven times more violent than the common person, mental illness continues to be pushed aside to make room for more hot button topics.
It is perhaps the agreeability upon the topic which has left it with so little coverage. While the ethics of gun ownership can be debated, the idea that a mentally ill person should have received treatment is hard to dispute. It is no wonder media outlets focus on other topics. It also comes as no surprise that many speculate if the newly proposed mental health bill will see the light of day. Attention needs to be brought to this subject. If all parties agree that mental illness is a problem worth tackling, it should get tackled.