What! I can't buy a gun? Can I still own one?

Question

What is up with this? Will Bush veto it?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_go_co/congress_guns

"Congress on Wednesday passed a long-stalled bill inspired by the Virginia Tech shootings that would more easily flag prospective gun buyers who have documented mental health problems."

"This bill will make America safer without affecting the rights of a single law-abiding citizen," said the Senate's chief sponsor, New York Democrat Chuck Schumer.

I'm a law-abiding citizen. I'm also bi-polar. It's documented. I've never been "dangerous". How will they sort through who is and who isn't or is going to be a straight ban on everybody with documented issues? This burns my butt! Can I still own the ones I have? Or is this simply going to prevent me from purchasing any guns in the future and not affect my current ownership? How can they do this? How did the NRA let this get passed?

This doesn't strike me as "proper gun control" but rather more like discrimination. As for what I own, I didnt buy, I inherited. Don't know that I ever will have the desire to buy a gun, but I felt better knowing I could if I wanted to. Bothers me thinking they may take that right away, just because they didn't bother to help that disturbed young man. Seems a better solution to the problem would be to take greater care spotting those that reaching a point of being dangerous and doing something to help them. Would be a much better use of the funds. It isn't as though he couldnt' have researched and built a damn bomb to hurt/kill those people. Stopping me from buying a gun, isn't going to help those in need get the mental help they truly need.

Answer 1

The bill isn't designed or intended to keep guns away from people with normal mood disorders, or to disuade them from getting treatment in order to keep their rights. The prohibition applies only to people who have been adjudged to be a danger either to themselves or others. State laws vary, but it usually takes a couple of doctors signing paperwork to force an evaluation and a court judgment for commitment to reach the level of prohibiting gun ownership, and even then it's possible to have the prohibition removed. As a matter of fact, the new law requires notifications and funds the process, so your rights are actually protected to a degree compared to how things have been. The only group who should be worried about the change are those who use a suicide gesture (not a real attempt) to gain attention.

Answer 2

First of all, this bill should not have any affect on you if you presently own guns, legal that is.
second, the NRA despite what some believe, is not against proper gun control, and does not like to see these incidents in the news.

I /we also own many guns and watch these events closely.

Answer 3

That bill is an attack on veterans, unless you are a vet or have been adjudicated, you are safe.