Shooting in Alger, WA (north of Seattle) [merged threads]

[rainbowbob]

...mental illness is not an excuse or defense for committing crime.

I agree - Mental illness is NOT an excuse or defense for committing a crime.

But in too many cases it is the preventable cause. Paranoid delusions are "real" - and often can be successfully treated by medications.

The difference can be night and day...

...and life or death.

 

[TRGRHPY]

But in too many cases it is the preventable cause. Paranoid delusions are "real" - and often can be successfully treated by medications.

I agree that the paranoid delusions (and hallucinations) are very real. I worked with these people for a little over a year and have recently studied abnormal psychology. I am not so sure about the first part of your statement though. The reason is that the term "mental illness" encompasses such a very wide range of illness' that it is tough to determine what could have been prevented and what would have happened anyway. For example, there are quite a few people, especially on here, that would say that the mentally ill should not have access to firearms. So does that mean that the soldier fresh from Iraq with PTSD should be included on that list? What about the many people who are treated for depression of some sort? With reference to the DSMIV, where do you draw the line with restricting access to firearms, and where do you (or the government) step in to force people to take their medications? Right now those who have been deemed mentally ill by the courts are currently restricted from purchasing firearms, but how is anyone to tell who else has the capability to snap and become violent? I don't think that it is possible because I feel that the mentall illness is not solely to blame in many instances of violent crime. I would say that there are quite a few who commit violent crime who also have a mental illness, but there is a difference. Since there are those who have criminal tendencies who do not have mental illness, it makes it very hard if not impossible to determine which crimes could have been prevented. It is just such a complex thing.

I agree that there needs to be better access to mental health care for those who need it. But ultimately for the majority of those who need care, it is going to be up to them to stick with it. If the government is to step in and take a bigger role in forcing people to treatment, it will take someone (more likely a bunch of someones) far more intelligent that I to figure out a way to work it out so that we are not just warehousing our citizens.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

its a tough call. i am opposed to forcing meds on principle and then i think of my friend jason. took himself off mefds and is miserable and a rish to himself and others. climbed white house fence after watching a michael moore flick that he interpreted as a documentary.even with the secret service involved he was turned lose and i expect to see him hurt or worse before its all over

 

[66912]

Sleepy part of the State? OP, I am sorry but as a victim of a home invasion shooting in this same area 10 years ago, I have to disagree. There is quite alot of crime up in the sleepy North. IMHO, I am sure the Amish thought the same thing about where they live just a few short years ago.
Were there are people, there is violence and crime. This is a fact of life everywhere we live.
Please do not let complacency assist in letting your guard down. My intention is not to sound paranoid, but I do hope this situation will remind us all about staying aware and being prepared for the worst, because it WILL come when you least expect it.

 

[FourTeeFive]

There is quite alot of crime up in the sleepy North.

Wow, I've lived here over 30 years and guess I've missed it. Maybe I was sleeping.

 

[66912]

Apparrantly so.

 

[halfgone]

I wouldn't be worried about the RKBA in Alger, or WA for that matter (except for that eternal vigilance thing). This isn't too far from one of the best gun shops I have ever seen, not to mention there are quite a few shooters in this area. People will see it for what it was, senseless, unfortunate violence.

 

[66912]

Halfgone,

I absolutely agree. I was actually suprised that this individual did not happen across any armed citizens during his rampage. I lived up in that area for nearly 20 years and always had a weapon. I unfortunately was a victim of my own complacency ( As I stated before) and almost paid the ultimate price. There are by far, many more dangerous places to live within the world, the country or Washington state for that matter.
My sympathy goes out to all who were directly impacted by the loss of so many individuals. There is a member of this board who was close to Deputy Jackson, His whole community is sorrowed at this loss.