Another Adam Lanza may be sitting in a darkened room in a house full of guns

Awarding a pistol permit to a mentally disturbed person has to be avoided. None less than President Trump has recognized this loophole in Connecticut’s attempts to reduce murder by gun. As a psychiatrist it was my privilege to interview a young man recently hospitalized on the complaints of his family that they felt at risk. When police arrived at the family home, they found him carrying a Glock .40 pistol, three extra magazines, and 43 rounds of ammunition.

And a valid Connecticut pistol permit.

Police reported he told them God had spoken to him and told him to defend himself against ISIS.

Questioned further he admitted he had no way of knowing who might be involved with ISIS — or who might have a weapon. Allegedly agitated and disorganized, he accepted going to a psychiatric hospital, and he is willing to remain there. “They brought me here for no reason. I didn’t do nothing (but) I’ll stay here for a little while,” he said carelessly, in an even tone. Medicine may ease his panic and fright. He agrees to take medicine, but, “I really don’t need it.”

I want to know who gave him the pistol permit.

Sandy Hook has taught us nothing. We have an enormous and dangerous loophole here in our gun control effort.

According to the State of Connecticut official website, ct.gov., “The Special Licensing and Firearms Unit is responsible for the issuance of state pistol permits. Applicants for a state pistol permit must first apply for, and be granted a local pistol permit. A local pistol permit may be obtained from the police chief in the town in which you reside.” The instructions continue, “The licensing statute also contains a ‘suitability clause’ which provides that the issuing authority may deny such application, if it determines that the applicant is not a suitable person to possess or carry a pistol or revolver.”

Three people all accepted this terribly disturbed, agitated, disorganized young man and put a gun in his hand. They are his local police chief, the state police licensing officer and the salesman who sold him a .40-caliber Glock. And three extra magazines, so he could hunt a whole herd of deer at once.

None of those three people was a trained psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. But he badly needed one. He needed someone who would ask “why.” Why did he want a pistol permit? Why did he want three magazines for his gun? Why did he think ISIS or anyone would have an interest in him?

Background checks have to be made longer, deeper and more professional. Besides covering gun shows and private sales, they have to look at the state of a person’s mind. Another Adam Lanza may be sitting in a darkened room in a house full of guns.

A different patient came in after being found roaming the streets with a butcher knife to protect herself “from the animals that were following me.” We cannot license butcher knives. Every kitchen has one. But guns need to be handled with great care. We have learned that much.