How did the Oregon gunman obtain guns legally?

[baekacaek]

I saw few news articles that reported that the gunman had autism (or some type of social disorder). They also reported that he obtained several of his guns legally. I thought that autistic people are restricted from buying guns from retailers? Or is that not the case?

[Ubermcoupe]

^^ I think you need to read about what autism is, and how it affect individuals differently.

TL;DR - Autism is a spectrum, and is NOT an automatic disqualifier from being able to defend one's self (nor should it be...)

Now, bouncing out of the military because he tried to off himself, and still be able to purchase a firearm boggles my mind.

[Condorguns]

I saw few news articles that reported that the gunman had autism (or some type of social disorder). They also reported that he obtained several of his guns legally. I thought that autistic people are restricted from buying guns from retailers? Or is that not the case?

There is no Federal registry of people with Autism that I am aware of. They also are not required to wear something that identifies them as autistic to the general public.

If the person had not been deemed a danger to themselves or others and held for treatment at some point there would be no record of this persons disorder.

Autism covers a huge range of behaviors, some people are affected profoundly and others mildly.

[dustoff31]

Without reference to autism, a person can be as crazy as a ****house mouse and everyone on earth can know it. But if nobody does the paperwork and/or reports it to NICS, that person will pass a background check every time.

[RickD427]

I saw few news articles that reported that the gunman had autism (or some type of social disorder). They also reported that he obtained several of his guns legally. I thought that autistic people are restricted from buying guns from retailers? Or is that not the case?

That is not the case.

To incur a firearms disability under federal law, one must be "adjudicated" as a mental defective or have been "committed" to a mental institution. Please refer to 18 USC 922(g)(4).

[P5Ret]

If treating physician's don't report their patient with mental health issues, how is anyone to know. The VT shooter was undergoing mental health treatment as was the Aurora theater shooter. That is the loop hole that should be closed, not the non-existent one's.

[SkyHawk]

As others noted - a diagnosis of Autism or ASD is not an automatic disqualifier.

The Pentagon says Vladimir Putin has ASD - and he gets by OK running a country, riding horses shirtless, playing hockey, fighting lions, and yanking our chain. Don't blame the autism or the ASD. It's a different kind of social disorder that causes people to kill, and anyone could have it.

[baekacaek]

I see. That was very educational, thanks all. So I guess we need to improve our NCIS reporting process, so that these mentally unstable people don't slip thru the cracks

[RickD427]

I see. That was very educational, thanks all. So I guess we need to improve our NCIS reporting process, so that these mentally unstable people don't slip thru the cracks

That would be the best objective.

The real challenge is trying to find the right criteria that effectively denies weapons to folks unstable enough to responsibly possess them while still being respectful of the rights of responsible folks.

That calls for a really good "crystal ball" and for an elected leadership capable of using that "crystal ball" and making the appropriate laws to carry out a well-reasoned enforcement strategy.

See the problem here?

[bountyhunter]

If treating physician's don't report their patient with mental health issues, how is anyone to know. The VT shooter was undergoing mental health treatment as was the Aurora theater shooter. That is the loop hole that should be closed, not the non-existent one's.

Correct. But the doctors always whine about privacy violations and how patients will never seek help if they can't guarantee privacy. Until the FED steps up with a law that forces them to report with some teeth in the law, the bodies will just keep piling up.

[bountyhunter]

That would be the best objective.

The real challenge is trying to find the right criteria that effectively denies weapons to folks unstable enough to responsibly possess them while still being respectful of the rights of responsible folks.

That calls for a really good "crystal ball" and for an elected leadership capable of using that "crystal ball" and making the appropriate laws to carry out a well-reasoned enforcement strategy.

See the problem here?

Yeah, but right now there is no balance. They could institute a system of reporting where it automatically has to be reviewed and/or has a path where a person judged "unqualified" could present his own data from other doctors. The problem right now is they are doing basically nothing.

[Fishslayer]

I saw few news articles that reported that the gunman had autism (or some type of social disorder). They also reported that he obtained several of his guns legally. I thought that autistic people are restricted from buying guns from retailers? Or is that not the case?

I believe the 4473 asks if you've been institutionalized or adjudicated?

[SonofWWIIDI]

I believe the 4473 asks if you've been institutionalized or adjudicated?

Question 11, section f.

https://www.atf.gov/file/61446/download

[jeremiah12]

Correct. But the doctors always whine about privacy violations and how patients will never seek help if they can't guarantee privacy. Until the FED steps up with a law that forces them to report with some teeth in the law, the bodies will just keep piling up.

By the latest DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) at least 25% of the population suffers from a mental disorder at some point in there life. Every time it is revised, more disorders are added so the number of people with a mental disorder keeps increasing. That is a great way to reduce the number of gun owners, get diagnosed with any mental disorder and loose your gun rights forever.

BTW, the overwhelming majority of people with true mental health issues are more likely to be victims of crimes and not perpetrators.

The overwhelming number of people who are on the autism spectrum disorder are not dangerous to others but some can pose a threat to themselves. Some that are high functioning, usually diagnosed as Aspergers, can pose a danger to others that is at a higher rate than the average person, but it is not much greater than the average person. Many are very successful in society. Bill Gates for example.

Many with Aspergers are Engineers or computer programers. Autism is not a mental illness, it is a learning disability.

Do not be so quick to give up the privacy rights of others because the next time it will be your rights in the crosshairs. How many threads are created about doctors asking about guns in the house and people saying that is none of their business?

For the most part a mental health provider cannot report someone unless there a specific threat made to harm self or someone else. Under HIPPA, patients do have a right to privacy unless they make a specific threat. Health care providers can be sued for breaking that privacy if they did not have good cause to do so. So most will err on the side of caution.

[HibikiR]

Autism is not a mental illness, it is a learning disability.

Except in those cases where the person with ASD doesn't seem to grasp social norms. How can we trust them with a gun if they can't grasp the value of human life?