Sen. Roach’s comments on mentally ill are inexcusable

Although Sen. Pam Roach’s public reference to the sad state of mental-health services in Washington hits the nail on the head, she should have stopped there [“Gun-rights supporters turn out in Olympia,” NWSaturday, Feb. 9].

Her accusation that our mentally ill citizens are responsible for gun-based crimes is rude, inexcusable and patently untrue. She further accuses them of stealing guns from others for that purpose, and states that “these are the ones who commit these crimes.”

This kind of thinking is deeply insulting to the vast majority of persons with mental illness, and serves only to intensify the stigma that they must carry along with the disease. This is not an easy load. I pay tribute to all of them.

I also respect all the underfunded hardworking professionals who keep the bedside and community services going. I should know, I was one of them for 30 years.

--Angela Haw, Olympia

Misunderstanding of Second Amendment

I find it fascinating that pro-gun advocates believe they can threaten our legal representatives essentially at gunpoint to further weaken gun controls, as occurred in Olympia, and has been occurring elsewhere with regularity.

They always tout the Second Amendment, but what I am hearing from no one, on either side discussing, is: Where is the “well-regulated militia” these gun advocates are required, by their own amendment, to belong to? Why is no one challenging this glaring omission on the part of the gun lobby?

According to the Second Amendment, every gun owner must belong to a “well-regulated militia.” Which means, regulated by the state or federal government, both of which they oppose. If they want to own a gun, they, by law, should be joining the National Guard.

Why is no one discussing this? Because what they are doing, in effect, is committing armed insurrection, which is treason.

--E. Ayres, Lake Forest Park