Why more senior citizens are carrying guns

[GRClarkesq]

They're protecting themselves from what they see as a rise in violence, even if crime statistics say otherwise.

By Tim Vanderpool | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

TUCSON, ARIZ. – A pistol's sharp report pierces the morning calm, as Charles Van Vibber lowers his Glock automatic. He scans a bullet-stopping berm among dusty cactuses at the Desert Trails Gun Club, as a breeze ruffles his white hair.
"You need to be able to protect yourself, because the police are not always able to protect you at any moment," he says.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0106/p02s01-ussc.html

[SmokingLoon]

1. Good story.

My 93 year old Grandfather keeps his WWII 1911A1 for defense. Believe it or not, the man still rides his horses, and drives a manual transmissioned RX-7 too.

[MrBenchley]

2. Jinkies!

"For example, gun-owning seniors, like any age group, are at risk for having their weapons used against them. Byers notes, however, that researchers haven't been able to compile the exact number of incidents in which this has happened.
Firearms are also a major safety risk for people struggling with age-related dementia. On the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center website, caregivers of Alzheimer's patients post stories of close calls and tragedies. One woman removed firearms from the home she shares with her Alzheimer's-ridden husband, after a neighbor with AD committed a murder-suicide. Another writes that too many times, caregivers find themselves "trapped in bathrooms with a cell phone."
Those with early Alzheimer's symptoms are sometimes even able to buy guns themselves, says Mark Warner, author of "The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home." "Often the person behind the counter selling a weapon doesn't have the skills or awareness to detect someone in the early stages of dementia," he says."

Well, there's a good argument for gun control.

[RoeBear]

3. What is your suggestion...

...for making sure people with Alzheimers don't get guns?

[CO Liberal]

4. How About......

....requiring a thorough physical and mental examination and a signed affidavit from a physician certifying the person exhibits no signs of Alzheimers for all persons over a certain age (say age 70) who want to get a gun? And periodic re-examinations every few years.

Is this workable?

[1a2b3c]

5. no

alzheimers comes well before 70.

[DonP]

6. Seems reasonable

Just like some states have mandatory annual screening for renewing drivers licenses after a certain age, 70 or so.

But AD does start much younger in some people. Maybe an addition to the NICS questions can cover it? (e.g. Have you been diagnosed with Alzheimers or any other condition that may affect your ability ...)

[CO Liberal]

7. It May Also Be Helpful....

...to ask if they have a blood relative who was diagnosed with Alzheimers. They didn't call it Alzheimers back in 1980 when my grandfather died, but we're pretty sure he had it. And my uncle (his son) has been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimers.

My parents both died in their early 70s, and neither was diagnosed with it. But there's a possibility I may be some day. A rather scary thought.....

[SmokingLoon]

8. I'm sure you'll be ok

Besides, worrying about it will only distract you from living.

[CO Liberal]

9. I'm Not Worried About It Per Se.....

But I DO have to recognize that there's a good chance it can happen to me.

[RoeBear]

10. I never saw that you had...

..responded to me, till just now.

As of right now it wouldn't work nationwide because we don't have gun registration. And I'm not in favor of registration.
on edit: I see that you are only referring to new purchases

The other problem I see is we can't even get seniors to go in for re-examines on their drivers licenses without a 'throw the bums out' uproar towards any politician that would propose it.

[TyroneStryker]

11. Many seniors in my neighborhood

have armed themselves. Helps cut down the home invasions when the druggies know the old folks will shoot back.