I think the media and politicians from both sides tend to sensationalize events specially tragedies like school and mall shootings and report the shooter had mental issues and then the debate becomes about what should be done about the mentally ill and background checks. The main flaw with this scenario is any one can "snap" even people with no mental illness records. Certainly I support people with violent criminal records should not be allowed to have guns, but non-violent felons should also be allowed. I fail to see why a person who got convicted of writing a bad check (felony) should be considered the same as some one who was convicted of armed robbery (felony). There is a world of difference between non-violent felonies and violent felonies. And mental illness should not even be a factor unless they have a violent history. But of course when ever a terrible shooting occurs everyone's emotions flair up and logic goes out the window. And yes I feel both sides are guilty of that. Certainly we could use reasonable background checks that filter violent criminals better and faster, but not at the expense of innocent people or non-violent felons. Just my 2 cents