The article argues against the common perception that mass shooters are primarily mentally ill individuals. It cites research indicating that only a small percentage of mass shooters are mentally ill and emphasizes that mentally ill individuals are more often victims of violence. The article warns against equating involvement in shootings, such as those by soldiers and police, with mental illness, as legal and rational motivations differ from those of mass shooters. Thus, mental health should not be seen as the main issue in addressing mass gun violence.
Using the strict medical definition, mentally ill people do not make up the majority of mass shooters and about 3% of violent criminals are mentally ill.
Violence on the part of the mentally ill tends to be self-directed rather than directed at others.
While the mentally ill commit some gun violence, focusing on mental illness as the primary means to reduce gun violence would be an error.
One obvious concern is that soldiers and police could thus be classified as mentally ill simply by being involved in shootings on par with a mass shooting.
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