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There has been debate for some time in Michigan regarding whether a psychiatric history and not just a criminal background check should be considered. The privacy laws surrounding mental health histories are so strict, yet, many people with mental health histories probably should not be able to get a gun.
I'm one of those people who don't align myself completely with either stance. I see no reason to have automatic or semi-automatic weapons available to civillians. I can understand wanting a gun for protection in some circumstances and I understand wanting hunting rifles. I think the existing laws are so numerous and complex AND unenforced that they need an overhaul. So, that's a pretty grey position I guess.
If my ex-father-in-law hadn't had a gun when a guy broke into his house for the second time, he may have been severely injured or killed because the guy had injured him the first time he broke in. But, I also know someone who almost killed his brother because he heard someone coming in the house in the middle of the night and didn't know it was his brother at first. There are too many people who allow children access to the guns which leads to accidental shootings of other children. It's such a complex issue.
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