I Had It Backwards

     I had posted earlier that Social Security's databases would allow one to identify many of those in this country most impaired by mental illness. I thought that this information might be used to prevent those mentally impaired individuals from obtaining guns. My post was somewhat confirmed by the fact that Social Security has a representative on an eight member White House working group on reducing gun violence. Looks like I was sort of right. I just had it backwards. Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) had the bright idea of obtaining concealed-carry records and using them to cut people off Social Security disability benefits. I understand why the presence of serious mental illness would be evidence that might disqualify someone from owning a gun. I just don't see how the obverse would be true. Why would owning a gun be proof that a person is not disabled? A seriously mentally ill person who owned a gun would be displaying poor judgment but poor judgment caused by mental illness is a major reason that people are put on Social Security disability benefits to begin with!