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Cathy's Blog: Thoughts on Guns

Mom takes on gun control in her blog. What are your thoughts and ideas? Let us know.

I have a confession. I’m going to tell you something I haven’t told my family.

 
In 1995, after a miscarriage, I searched for my birth mother. I found out she had passed away from cancer. I did additional research, requesting medical records. She had breast cancer, and died from complications from pneumonia. If she’d gone in earlier for treatment, she may have been alive for me to find her. She was living in the Tenderloin, on SDI, and had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and mental illness. She thought there were voices in her wall and her brother was a serial killer. And I was 26, pregnant, married, and about to give birth. I was terrified.


Would I get schizophrenia? Would my child? Would one of us go crazy? Every possible worry and thought ran through my mind.
My husband safely and discretely hid his hunting rifle. I haven’t seen it since. We waited six years before having another child. So far, neither of them or I have shown any signs of schizophrenia. Mental illness? Well, I have been depressed on and off since college, and tried various antidepressants. Should I have access to a gun?

 
I still keep my hunting license from 1990/1991 in a box. I’ve restricted my own access, just in case. I do have a temper. Am I in a mentally ill database? Can I pass a background check? I’ve been FBI fingerprinted at Charles Schwab in 1999 to work on their help desk, fixing computer problems for stockbrokers. I also worked for the City of Napa, in IT, fixing computers for police and firefighters and office workers, and my background passed.


I don’t recommend a database for mental illness. It won’t work. There’s too many possible holes. Who’s in? Who’s out? What about HIPPA laws? If a depressed Mom comes in, feeling blue, is she on the list if her doctor prescribes an anti-depressant? If it doesn’t work, as they sometimes do, and the Mom just gives up and stops the medicine, who is there to modify the database? What if her son or daughter is autistic or has Asperger’s? Are they on the list?

Does this remind you of 1930’s Germany, with Nazis asking for papers?

As a Mom, an American, a Republican, I’d rather have tighter gun laws. It’s going to be a long, tough battle, as red and blue states are polarized opposites. But if I can avoid another Sandy Hook, in my town of Napa, I’m ready to negotiate. What are you willing to do? Please, step up. It’s for the kids.

Cathy Gumina Odom

MICHAEL P WILSON "Independent Kid" January 13, 2013 at 11:50 pm
This person is not well check her Napa patch blogs
Tim Fertiny January 14, 2013 at 12:36 am
You should not have access to a keyboard, let alone a gun.
Dover January 14, 2013 at 12:37 am
No need for a database as long as addicts and mentally unbalanced people continue to use the internet as a personal confession booth.
Paul Hubbard January 14, 2013 at 01:49 am
Again, posting in a different city's page does not change the facts. #1. Voting for finstien, Boxer and the like, wanting gun control, pushing to legalize pot, etc. does not make you a Republican. It means you registered as one at some point. #2. Walking through the woods with a gun in 1990 does not make you a hunter, you went hiking once with a gun. Hiding your hunting license is not saving lives for the record.
Fyi... I'd suggest talking with a doctor and not looking for answers here, you need to seek professional help.
Michael Henry January 14, 2013 at 05:32 pm
What I've read here bothers me. Not the blog post, the comments following. After six paragraphs of exposition four people have said the writer should not write publicly, and have decided that she is either mentally I'll or should "...seek professional help." I apologize to any commenter that holds and advanced degree and is a psychologist or psychiatrist.
What frightens me more than the fact that we as a people willingly surrendered many of our 4th Ammendment rights after 9/11, or that the 2nd Ammendment is currently under fire, but the commenters who are exercising their 1st Ammendment rights are suggesting taking that same right away from the original author.
Tim Fertiny January 14, 2013 at 06:27 pm
Michael,
I can see your point, might I suggest you research the author of this post a little more...read the "blogs" authored by her on Napa Patch. It may or may not influence you perspective.
Paul Hubbard January 14, 2013 at 07:05 pm
Michael,
Congratulations on joining patch today, it seems to be a great source of information. I did not see where 4 people said she should not write publicly, maybe you're exaggerating a little? I'm a strong supporter of the 2nd and 1st amendment, actually I support the entire constitution. Even if I disagree with a blogger I support their ability to voice their opinion. You should research this person before forming an opinion, my concerns are her mental health not her opinion. When someone who "seems" unstable writes about mental health issues and guns I think it needs to be addressed.
Tim Fertiny January 18, 2013 at 09:11 pm
Looks like there is some controversy in the Newtown shooting…Seems “Assault Type” weapons were not used in the shooting, just hand guns.
http://www.ijreview.com/2013/01/30208-nbc-admits-no-assault-rifle-used-in-newtown-shooting/
Cathy Gumina Odom January 21, 2013 at 08:38 am
Thak you for listening, all, and respecting my rights to Free Speech. I appreciate it.

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Amy Smolens June 7, 2013 at 02:57 pm
Hi there - This doesn't seem like an appropriate announcement for Albany or Berkeley Patch. 1) theRead More category is Announcements/Around Town and these events are all in Marin 2) Patch's "Terms of Use" say "You may use this Service solely for personal and non-commercial purposes. That is to say: You can’t use the Service to make a living unless you enter into a separate agreement with us that says you can." This is clearly solely a commercial venture, not a neighbor of ours or local organization providing a community service and charging for the service. 3) I went to the Novato website and saw this listing: "Ettiquette (sic) Series for Kids - 17737 Ages: 7 Years to 11 Years - Residents $150.00 - Non-residents $163.00" 4) These items push our items of local interest down and out of sight. Especially now that there is no box indicating the stories with the most recent comments, as there used to be on the Patch front page, out of sight does mean out of mind. Charles, what are your thoughts here? Thanks.
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Can you please post their hours / days of operation ? As i recall, they're only open afternoons aRead More few days a week, and it won't do to just leave donations outside ( they'll be scavenged ). And i was not able to find the info online.
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