Question law to ID dangerously ill

The tragic incident at Northern Illinois University has resulted in public outrage, legislative initiative and unresolved issues to preclude such incidents from occurring again.

Anti-firearms people want to eliminate all firearms. Gun advocates want the public to carry concealed weapons for protection. Elected officials propose new and more rigid gun laws and enforcement.

Some psychoanalysts believe they can predict anti social behavior and disorders. Others do not.

Sad to say, the incident at NIU follows other incidents across the country where firearms were used.

A person bent on violence will use whatever is available.

Our state weapons laws are more than adequate despite the tendency of our legislature to propose new legislation every time a firearm is used.

SB 940, which takes effect June 1, requires that all Illinois mental health facilities report to law enforcement on a weekly basis the names of individuals who pose a real and immediate threat to themselves and people around them.

This legislation sounds good and I am sure those that proposed it have good intentions. The offender from NIU was not considered a threat by his friends, associates and doctors.

Will this legislation deter persons with mental problems from seeking help knowing that their names would be added to a list maintained by the state police?

Will this list be exclusively for Firearms Owners Identification Cards checks or will it used later for other purposes? Can a persons name be removed from the list, and how about doctor-patient confidentiality?

John Culloton

Chicago