Illinois Sheriffs: Mental Health Issues To Blame For Mass Shootings, Not Guns
From the Bloomington Pantagraph
A majority of Illinois sheriffs view dwindling mental health services rather than ineffective gun control as the moving force behind violence in the nation’s communities, according to a resolution recently endorsed by members of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association.
“Rational law abiding citizens are not the cause of random acts of horrific violence in our communities. The focus should be primarily on the lack of mental health services in our country,” said Greg Sullivan, ISA executive director, in a statement Monday releasing the resolution approved by 73 sheriffs at a conference last week.
County jails continue to house inmates deemed unfit to stand trial — in some cases for months after a judge has ordered they be transferred to a state mental health facility, said Sullivan. On Feb. 1, 64 mentally ill inmates were waiting in county jails for such a transfer, he said.
The ISA opposes legislative proposals to ban certain weapons, including military-style assault weapons.
A summary of the position taken by the state’s chief law enforcement officers outlines key points the sheriffs believe contribute to violence. More extensive background checks to include mental health records, stiffer penalties for those who violate gun laws, along with the impact of violent video games on youth, must be addressed, said the sheriffs.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Bloomington Pantagraph
A majority of Illinois sheriffs view dwindling mental health services rather than ineffective gun control as the moving force behind violence in the nation’s communities, according to a resolution recently endorsed by members of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association.
“Rational law abiding citizens are not the cause of random acts of horrific violence in our communities. The focus should be primarily on the lack of mental health services in our country,” said Greg Sullivan, ISA executive director, in a statement Monday releasing the resolution approved by 73 sheriffs at a conference last week.
County jails continue to house inmates deemed unfit to stand trial — in some cases for months after a judge has ordered they be transferred to a state mental health facility, said Sullivan. On Feb. 1, 64 mentally ill inmates were waiting in county jails for such a transfer, he said.
The ISA opposes legislative proposals to ban certain weapons, including military-style assault weapons.
A summary of the position taken by the state’s chief law enforcement officers outlines key points the sheriffs believe contribute to violence. More extensive background checks to include mental health records, stiffer penalties for those who violate gun laws, along with the impact of violent video games on youth, must be addressed, said the sheriffs.
Read more in our daily News Update...