Montini: Trump eased gun access for mentally ill (Did he think no one would remember?)

Just about a year ago President Donald Trump signed legislation that made it easier for mentally ill individuals to acquire firearms.

Yes. He did.

Lots of people wrote about it at the time. Including me.

The bill signing was unusual in that Trump didn’t invite the press in to take photographs of him revoking an Obama administration regulation that put the names of certain types of mentally ill individuals into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It was estimated that the rule would affect roughly 75,000 men and women.

Did Trump think we wouldn't notice?

We’re talking about individuals receiving full government benefits because they are unable to work and those who need a third party to manage their affairs.

Now, after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, which left 17 people dead and many hurt, Trump called the shooter “mentally disturbed” and said the government needs “to tackle the difficult issue of mental health.”

He’s right.

And he could start with his own administration.

The power of the NRA

The revocation of the mental health regulation looks like pure payback to the National Rifle Association, which bolstered Trump’s campaign by $10 million directly and nearly  $20 millon in attack ads aimed at Hillary Clinton.

Campaign money. Blood money. Take your pick.

Now, faced with the murder of so many bright, beautiful young people and brave teachers Trump wants us to deal with a potential problem that he exacerbated?

Yes, there most definitely is a need “to tackle the difficult issue of mental health” – in Washington.

Because the government under Trump seems to be out of touch with reality

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