#tellusatoday: Focus on mental health care, not guns

We asked on Twitter whether laws that make it more difficult for mentally ill to get guns make us safer. Comments edited for clarity and grammar:

Focus should be on better, affordable mental health care. Everything else is a cheap shortcut out.

—@EmmaReisen

Don't we already have laws? Easy to say; hard to identify and apply. We need an honest debate, if that's possible.

—@Hplage44

What about domestic violence and drug abusers? Those people are the ones who shouldn't be allowed to buy guns.

—@ChikeErokwu

Just as drivers must undergo tests before being licensed, gun owners must show they are capable and competent.

—@RicaldiJMarc

Tighter laws could work if they are narrowly tailored to prevent the mentally ill from getting guns while not infringing on others' Second Amendment rights.

—@AlexAivazis

Assault rifles kill fewer people in America than drunken drivers do. People will find a way to kill if motivated.

—@jerrodplotts

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.