Karen Ranus and Greg Hansch, both of NAMI Texas, and Dennis Borel, of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, write in the Austin (TX) American-Statesman (1/26, Subscription Publication) that “because guns are now allowed in Texas’ 10 state-run psychiatric hospitals, individuals accessing treatment for serious and persistent mental health conditions are now at higher risk for trauma and more vulnerable to suicide.” The trio says that “as advocates for individuals with mental illness and their families,” they “have grave concerns about this major policy shift, which allows the open carry of guns in areas used in the treatment and care of a highly vulnerable population in our state hospitals.”
Related Links:
— “Commentary: Open carry in state hospitals fails to protect vulnerable,” Karen Ranus, Greg Hansch, and Dennis Borel, Austin American-Statesman, January 26, 2016.