Mr. President,
My wife and I very recently lost our 22 year old son, David Jr. He took his life with a handgun that he purchased. Our son was prescious to us. He could have done anything he chose to do.
I am writing because our son suffered from mental illness yet still was able to purchase a gun. He had been involuntarily hospitalized when he was 17, yet, Pennsylvania allows people with this on their record to purchase a gun.
The sadness we are feeling is overwhelming us. We are trying to be strong for our other three sons, but we are breaking down every day. We cannot understand how he could do this. We want no other parents to suffer like we are. What can be done to prevent those with mental illness from buying a weapon? My son should be home with me. He should be celebrating Christmas with us. We will never get him back. What can be done so that all states do a background check on mental illness as well?
Thank you,
David Costello