Wal-Mart sued over sale of gun to suicide victim

moe.ron · #1 12-22-2004, 07:19 AM

AGDee · #2 12-22-2004, 07:52 AM

It appears from the article that Walmart did everything they could and shouldn't be held responsible.

However, there is a difficult conflict that needs to be resolved. After working in mental health for 13 years, I agree that those patients' records need to be confidential and not available to every Walmart/Kmart/Meijer clerk who may be working the gun counter. There is a huge stigma in our society in being diagnosed mentally ill and many many people who have been committed at one time, if they stay on their meds, are perfectly fine but would face a lot of discrimination if their records were too public. On the other hand, I'd be upset if one of my historically suicidal patients were sold a gun. So, to protect confidentiality, why not have a "no gun" list, similar to a "no fly" list, that simply says that person can't buy a gun, with no reason given as to why.

Dee

Munchkin03 · #3 12-22-2004, 12:38 PM

If she was determined to kill herself, there wasn't anything that could have stopped her. If Wal-Mart didn't sell her the gun, she would have gone to any other place. If a gun wasn't available, there are myriad ways to end one's life.

I just don't see much of a case here. Besides, $25 million won't bring her back.

Optimist Prime · #4 12-23-2004, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Munchkin03
If she was determined to kill herself, there wasn't anything that could have stopped her. If Wal-Mart didn't sell her the gun, she would have gone to any other place. If a gun wasn't available, there are myriad ways to end one's life.

I just don't see much of a case here. Besides, $25 million won't bring her back.

No but it could seriously damage Wal Mart, hopefully putting it out of business. How do you sell a gun to some one who is suicidal? That's the most F'ed up S I have ever heard. They should be held compleatly responspible. This is why waiting periods on guns are a good thing. Also, the place that sells pet fish should not also sell fishing equipment. That's just not right.

Coramoor · #5 12-23-2004, 03:51 PM

Wal-Mart is a store. They abide by all the laws set down for selling guns. They are not at fault.

Maybe the girl's family should be held at fault. Why weren't they monitoring her? If she was unstable, why didn't her family at least feign enough interest to ensure her well being?

Probably b/c it is much easier to blame Wal-Mart and they see a way to get some money.

kddani · #6 12-23-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
No but it could seriously damage Wal Mart, hopefully putting it out of business. How do you sell a gun to some one who is suicidal? That's the most F'ed up S I have ever heard. They should be held compleatly responspible. This is why waiting periods on guns are a good thing. Also, the place that sells pet fish should not also sell fishing equipment. That's just not right.

hahahaha.

$25 mill isn't even close to enough to put wally world outta business

Rudey · #7 12-23-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kddani
hahahaha.

$25 mill isn't even close to enough to put wally world outta business

Are you still dating Erik Conard?

-Rudey

kddani · #8 12-23-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Are you still dating Erik Conard?

-Rudey

woah, where'd that insult come from? what'd i do to you???

I think the suit is f'ed up, but $25 million is a joke to a huge multi billion dollar corporation like walmart

pinkyphimu · #9 12-23-2004, 10:27 PM

how ridiculous!! this reminds me of something that happened to my friends in high school. their mom was diagnosed with cancer. their father was really depressed and threatened to committ suicide. the mom had the dad committed for a short period. his family really gave her a hard time bc they thought it was unacceptable that he was in an institution and kept saying that he would never do it. the mom felt so much pressure from his family, that she brought him home. well, a few weeks later, he shot himself in the basement at 5 am while his two teenage daughters and wife slept. believe it or not, his family blamed her for his suicide and that she should have gotten him help. it was so sad. the mom died a few months later.

valkyrie · #10 12-23-2004, 11:09 PM

I hate WalMart as much as the next hippie liberal, but I have to say this is ridiculous. Attorneys should just say no to bogus cases like this.

moe.ron · #11 12-24-2004, 08:29 AM

WalMart have everything they can do. they should not be held accountable for her action.

Jill1228 · #12 12-24-2004, 02:07 PM

Exactly!
She passed the background check and they had no way of accessing what meds she took

Why is the tune "Ride With Me" by Nelly going thru my head? in particular the refrain HEY, Must be the Money!

Quote:

Originally posted by Munchkin03
If she was determined to kill herself, there wasn't anything that could have stopped her. If Wal-Mart didn't sell her the gun, she would have gone to any other place. If a gun wasn't available, there are myriad ways to end one's life.

I just don't see much of a case here. Besides, $25 million won't bring her back.