Quote Originally Posted by Sawin View Post
I agree it was a "dick statement" as griebel303 says. Horribly ill-advised and improper. I tend to think he was commenting about the irony of Chris's profession and death, albeit horribly insensitive. Regardless, what is the general consensus among our ranks, especially any .mil folks or PTSD stricken members/family members, on having firearms while suffering from PTSD? I have to admit, there is some basis for concern with respect to folks with PTSD and firearms.... It's a pretty wide scale though, and nowhere near a "one bucket" issue. I believe it varies case by case.

For example, I volunteer with a phenomenal man who is currently overcoming PTSD from exposure to repeated mutilations on the job. He is a medic. He's also a ccw holder, father of 3, and all around standup patriot. I love the guy. I do not have a single concern about him carrying in my presence. On the other hand I went to school with another man with PSTD that he's developed from the sandbox and coming home to a dying father who has since passed, cheating wife, and bitch of a kid. He worries me more than the medic.

Opinions, insights anyone?
"PTSD" covers a very wide spectrum, and it will affect people very differently. In its acute stage it can be dangerous, especially if the individual's nerves are still too raw to hold a job and they're self medicating with whiskey . . . but there is a curve and most people are able to recover and readjust to civilian life without pills or psychotherapy. And even guys who may be a "danger to themselves or others" are extremely unlikely to go on a shooting spree of any sort. Proposing that veterans collecting benefits related to psychological trauma be barred for life from firearm ownership is reprehensible, and anyone supporting such action should be removed from office.