Was reading a news article about the lack of mental health care in the US that mentioned the NRA released a statement suggesting there should be a national database for the mentally ill, so that these individuals would not be permitted to purchase firearms. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8BS07O20121229

I am a responsible, legal gun owner, Lifetime member of the NRA, and recieved a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2009, so such a statement is extremely un-nerving and upsetting to me.

I have purchased several firearms since my diagnosis, including handguns, shotguns and high powered rifles. The background check forms do have a question about mental illness, but as it is written it only asked if you've ever been committed by someone else or been deemed unfit to take care of yourself by a court. During my single hospitalization, I agreed to be admitted to the hospital's Mental Health Unit on my own free will. I have never been committed to any institution, so naturally I check NO to this question and have never been denied in a background check.

Through work I also had to go through a background check from the ATF to handle and distribute high explosives, (I work in the warehouse at a coal mine and am responsible for keeping inventory on and issuing out dynamite, "rockbusters", and firing caps), and passed this check with no problems. My boss is fully aware of my condition and has no problem allowing me to have this responsibility.

What is y'alls opinion on such a database and how do you think it could affect our rights as citizens who have recieve a dx of mental illness?