I think we should acknowledge that some trans people may want these for genuine self-defence (not preemptive reaction to non-existent 'genocide'). While the scale of trans hate crimes is vastly exaggerated, they do exist and are more likely to be vulnerable for other reasons: poverty (we know here many kids in care have been made to think they are trans), mental health issues, sexual abuse history, abusive parents...
This murder in particular is one that made me think about this again. (TW : terrible violence)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Sam_Nordquist&ved=2ahUKEwi8uY2cn9mPAxWn0QIHHaaKAbUQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0iMca7579hLqJYg37Afq2J
A poster I saw on another thread said her sister had bipolar disorder but had used a gun to protect herself from a violent ex & she thus opposed mentally ill people being forbidden from guns.
I don't know what I think.. surely most dangerous trans people have other comorbid mental health conditions aside from being trans?
Ir's difficult as in my gut I feel bipolar & other similar illnesses are grounds to not be allowed a gun. But at the same time I worry people w these are more likely to be targeted.
I would also be a bit careful of automatically agreeing that people w mental issues should be forbidden guns due to he history this has had to silence people.. We know the history of women being confined to lunatic asylums or diagnosed as hysterical often on spurious grounds/to cover up abuse.
Likewise we know that until 1970s homosexuality was considered a mental disorder by the DSM, and according to one measurement still was until the 1990s (I think the WHO, but need to check). Many US conservative Christians, as well as mainstream right wingers like Ben Shapiro & arguably Charlie Kirk (well he did compare having gay relationships to alcohol/drug addiction) still argue that it is. What if they in the future potential were able tp decide to stop gay people having guns as they're all by default mentally ill? This is ovvs v hypothetical, but I don't think we should ignore these questions as impossible.
Moreover, we know there is a huge issue of overdiagnosis now, arguably driven by Big Pharma. Could this also play a role in a potential future government diagnosing protestors as 'mentally ill' and disarming them?
This is the reason, I've read, that the NRA is wary of mental health restrictions, and while on one level I disagree strongly, on another I see what they are worried about.
I don't want to force team and say these issues are the same as trans, bc they're not. But I do think there are other aspects to be considered before we agree that all mentally ill people should be forbidden guns.
And I do think there are quite a few trans people who want them for actual defence (not attack) reasons, and have genuine reasons to worry. If they must be disarmed (which they probs do) can thry be protected some other way.