Experts: Mental illness not main driver in mass shootings President Donald Trump blames 'mentally ill monsters'
Experts say President Donald Trump's focus on "mentally ill monsters" oversimplifies the role of mental illness in public mass shootings and downplays the ease with which Americans can get firearms.
Trump on Monday addressed weekend shootings in Texas and Ohio that killed 31 people. Trump said, "Mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun."
In response, mental health experts are repeating what they've said after previous mass shootings: Most people with mental illness are not violent and that access to firearms is a big part of the problem.
But some found common ground with Trump in support for red flag laws that can be used to temporarily disarm people believed to be dangerous. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have passed such laws.
Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
6 Things to do this weekend (12/6 - 12/7) ▶ 1:00
6 Things to do this weekend (12/6 - 12/7)
Orlando girl plays young Glinda in ‘Wicked: For Good’ ▶ 1:17
Orlando girl plays young Glinda in ‘Wicked: For Good’
Rollins College student arrested after rifle, ammunition found on school property, police say ▶ 1:23
Rollins College student arrested after rifle, ammunition found on school property, police say
Disney World property employee accused of stealing hundreds of dollars using guest’s checks ▶ 0:44
Disney World property employee accused of stealing hundreds of dollars using guest’s checks
‘Breaking Bad on steroids:’ Florida sheriff details seizure of 92,000 pounds of drugs, arsenal of weapons ▶ 0:57
‘Breaking Bad on steroids:’ Florida sheriff details seizure of 92,000 pounds of drugs, arsenal of weapons
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’ ▶ 1:03
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney ▶ 1:16
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations ▶ 0:48
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨ ▶ 0:48
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage ▶ 0:49
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
1 injured in Sanford house fire ▶ 0:47
1 injured in Sanford house fire
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers ▶ 0:35
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers
Port Canaveral now the most-visited cruise terminal in the world, leaders announce ▶ 0:47
Port Canaveral now the most-visited cruise terminal in the world, leaders announce
Most powerful rocket ever made coming to KSC ▶ 0:59
Most powerful rocket ever made coming to KSC
Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost Park ▶ 0:50
Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost Park
Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne display ▶ 0:40
Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne display
SunRail expands late-night service with 2 new trains. Here’s what to know ▶ 1:04
SunRail expands late-night service with 2 new trains. Here’s what to know
Amazon in Orlando expects almost double the packages for Cyber Monday ▶ 0:41
Amazon in Orlando expects almost double the packages for Cyber Monday
Healthcare relief for thousands of Seniors in The Villages ▶ 0:30
Healthcare relief for thousands of Seniors in The Villages
‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-up ▶ 0:26
‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-up
Warm start to week before Thanksgiving cooldown in Central Florida. Here’s the timing ▶ 0:59
Warm start to week before Thanksgiving cooldown in Central Florida. Here’s the timing
‘The Midnight Stalker:’ Mystery surrounds masked person leaving wood, money on Florida front porches ▶ 0:58
‘The Midnight Stalker:’ Mystery surrounds masked person leaving wood, money on Florida front porches
Shots fired at Deltona home after attempted break-in, deputies say ▶ 0:45
Shots fired at Deltona home after attempted break-in, deputies say
Previous photo Next photo 