Bloomberg: Old people shouldn’t own firearms, because dementia and all

[C3D]

Dementia and Firearms Make a Dangerous Combination

As the U.S. population skews ever older, the number of people stricken with dementia steadily rises. Alzheimer’s disease already afflicts nearly 6 million Americans, and the number is projected to multiply in coming decades.

This, in turn, stands to boost the number of injuries and deaths caused by firearms. As dementia sufferers lose mental faculties, some become prone to delusions, paranoia and physical aggression. Such symptoms are more dangerous when a patient has easy access to guns.

Yet older Americans are especially likely to be gun owners. Roughly 45 percent of Americans over 65 either own a firearm or live in a household with one. A significant share of those residents may suffer from dementia. One studyestimates that by 2050 up to 11.8 million persons with dementia could live in a home with a firearm. A recent Washington state study found that about 5 percent of the state’s population — 54,000 residents — had both cognitive decline and access to firearms at home. (About 15,000 of them had access to unlocked, loaded guns.)

This is probably a severe undercount, because dementia often goes undiagnosed. Consider the 76-year-old Milwaukee man who was considered mentally competent when he was convictedof murdering his neighbor, a 13-year-old boy he had accused, without evidence, of stealing some of his guns.

Partly in response to mass shootings, more than a dozen states have enacted red flag laws, which enable family members or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from a person who could be a danger to self or others. In at least 42 percent of mass shootings from 2009 to 2016, the attacker had exhibited warning signs before a shooting, according to a national study by Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun-regulation advocacy group backed by Bloomberg L.P. founder Michael Bloomberg.

Addressing the volatile mix of dementia and guns will require both cultural adaptation and clear legal parameters. In cases of dementia, doctors and caregivers need to be prepared to discuss gun possession with patients and family members, and to refer dangerous cases to authorities. Too many families are reluctant to remove guns from a loved one in mental decline. It would help for more states to enact red flag laws.

Each day, for the next 11 years, roughly 10,000 Americans will turn 65. As Americans age, live longer, and become vulnerable to cognitive loss, the risks posed by gun possession will grow. To prevent tragedy, society must take steps to keep lethal weapons away from those who put themselves or others at risk.

No word on whether old people drivers’ licenses or rights to vote are also subject to these concerns.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/a...rearms-make-a-lethal-combination?srnd=premium

 

[Burzum]

Too bad he could not be invited into a Saudi consulate and have his interrogation go wrong like with Khashoggi.

 

[Jmac]

Well I guess he speaking from experience since he an old dipshit

 

[meketrefe]

Yeah, lets leave them w/o pensions, w/o heathcare and on top defenseless. ...like 2nd class citizens.
Maybe put them in concentration camps to die>

Can you believe this prick?!

 

[Deplorable Me]

Bloomberg is 76, clearly a confession of senility.

 

[Saltwater60]

Bit they can be politicians and Supreme Court justices. I see.

 

[Blimey]

Old people are a massive risk on the road. I imagine we'll see the article supporting they all lose license at 65 next from bloomberg?

 

[Catskillkid]

Old people are a massive risk on the road. I imagine we'll see the article supporting they all lose license at 65 next from bloomberg?

Just limit them to 10 gallons a week. Problem solved.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Old people are a massive risk on the road. I imagine we'll see the article supporting they all lose license at 65 next from bloomberg?

Well they can't go to the range so why drive?

 

[Jmac00]

Charlton Heston sold or gave all his guns away when he realized, or was told, he was getting dementia. But who get to decide when you are to far gone? I think most family members are smart enough to know when its time to transfer guns from a loved one with dementia.
I seriously doubt we need any law or regulation on this matter

 

[prambo]

Charlton Heston sold or gave all his guns away when he realized, or was told, he was getting dementia. But who get to decide when you are to far gone? I think most family members are smart enough to know when its time to transfer guns from a loved one with dementia.
I seriously doubt we need any law or regulation on this matter

Said no DemonCrap/Marxist, ever!

 

[Blimey]

Just limit them to 10 gallons a week. Problem solved.

Nobody needs ten gallons to get to the grocery store.

 

[99cummins]

I’d like all these antis to start replacing “owning a gun” with other rights or privileges and see how ridiculous is sounds.

 

[Steal2B]

Old people are a massive risk on the road. I imagine we'll see the article supporting they all lose license at 65 next from bloomberg?

I pity the SJW charged with disarming grandpa. Higher milage Old looking farts are usually at their shooting prime at 65, and can still kick some ass. For example, this year Greg Kinman (hickok45) is 69 years old and champion shooter Jerry Miculek is 65, and Thunder Ranch's Clint Smith is 70.

 

[Mr. terzmo]

Old people are a massive risk on the road. I imagine we'll see the article supporting they all lose license at 65 next from bloomberg?

Well being in the OMF class I wonder why insurance rates drop a lot once a person reaches 25 ? Could that be the under 25 crowd are a big risk. I don't know of rates JUMPING once a person hits 65. Age is not a big a factor as the individual,no matter what age, should not be behind the wheel. Why not a re-test for driving every year for 25 and under. Taking my driver's license is as sensitive as the 2nd ammendment is when people get lumped into a pool strickly on age.

 

[Blimey]

Well being in the OMF class I wonder why insurance rates drop a lot once a person reaches 25 ? Could that be the under 25 crowd are a big risk. I don't know of rates JUMPING once a person hits 65. Age is not a big a factor as the individual,no matter what age, should not be behind the wheel. Why not a re-test for driving every year for 25 and under. Taking my driver's license is as sensitive as the 2nd ammendment is when people get lumped into a pool strickly on age.

Young kids are the worst on the road.

 

[meketrefe]

Bloomberg is a little Hitler disguised as a liberal.