The NRA wants an "active national database" of people with mental illness

There were many WTF? moments during Friday's press conference, but calling for an "active national database" of people with mental illness is inexcusable. Like Jill , I wonder how exactly the NRA would define mentally ill: anyone who sought treatment, be it through therapy or medication, or only those deemed "dangerous?"Do we just disregard HIPPA rules now ? It's been widely reported that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violent crimes rather than commit them, and not all spree shooters are "mentally ill." This has, sadly, become the dominant narrative after tragic mass shootings like the one in Connecticut because we need to tell ourselves that the shooter is completely divorced from reality, and "not like us."

Further reading:

A National Database of the Mentally Ill (Freethought Blogs)
An Observation About Mental Illness (Shakesville)
Wayne LaPierre and the NRA: so defensive it was downright offensive (The Guardian)