First, an apology. I know several of you insist on links, but folks, I'm on dial-up so cut me some slack. You know how to google.
Comments made by retired Gen. Honere [sic?] on CNN this morning tend to support Jank's comments regarding "mental illness" as I interpret the definition within the troops. Specifically, PTSD. The CNN commenters said the shooter had been receiving psychiatric help and was on medication. The Army was aware of this. But the talking heads mentioned Ambien? A sleep aid? Seriously?
[CNN talking heads were also crying the shooter was wearing BDUs. That's like saying the farmer was wearing overalls.]
I would not go so far as to say mental issues are a "plague" in the military any more than it is in civilian society but the rate per capita seems higher among those returning from the middle east. Honere pointed that out and one of the commenters, perhaps him, emphasized the number of suicides.
So kindly remember that of the many mass shootings we've had, only 3 have occurred on military bases. Two were committed by active duty personnel. I don't know if the contractor on the VA Navy base was a vet or not. Just saying.
But on to what Honere said...paraphrasing...that soldiers who have served in war zones who exhibit personality disorders upon returning are NOT receiving adequate treatment. He was very emphatic about that. As is Jank, I believe. Even the base CO said PTSD diagnosis is a long and involved process [especially for one who hasn't seen combat]. But, as I said, the shooter had been seeing a psychiatrist and the Army knew it.
BUT...the general added, the gun had nothing to do with it. It was the person. So, Jank, was the general being dishonest?
I served 13 years in the USAF SF, the air force equivalent of the Army MP's and unless the THREATCON level was like it was just after 9-11, getting a handgun on base is no more difficult than bringing a sub sandwich. Unless there is enforcement, there is no deterrent. Other commenters, including the base commander said the MP response time was somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes. I said at least a couple of years ago on this forum, "when seconds count, the police are only minutes away." I know and we ran shooter-intruder drills all the time.
Which brings us to Captains point. Hang all the signs you want, nothing is going to deter a bad guy with a gun like a good guy with a gun. Would guns in the hands of a good guys been a deterrent? We don't know. So far the bad guys have only taken on unarmed students, movie goers, workers, and children. They've NEVER taken on an armed populace. They even take their own lives rather than confront armed resistance. Maybe they're not as crazy as we think.
BTW, please note no "assault rifles" or extended magazines were used in either of the Ft. Hood shootings nor the one at Luby's restaurant in Killeen TX outside the base. Just your basic OTC legally purchased handguns in the hands of sociopaths.