Comments about ‘Soldier deserted post a month before dying in Salt Lake City shootout’

Depression is the most debilitaing disease in the world. Five out of the ten most disabling diseases are due to mental health yet we spend a pitance on its' prevention and treatment. Unfortunatly unlike cancer and heart disease, which are generally accepted and supported in our culture, mental illness is still stigmatized. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that individuals that commit or in this case attempt to commit violent crime are mentally ill?

Another thought on this matter is that it is LEGAL in Utah to openly carry a weapon on the streets and unbelievably the State Capitol. The only rule is that the carrier's wapon is two mechanical motions from discharging a bullet. It is ILLEGAL to carry any weapon in a FEDERAL building. Our legislature wants to allow ANYONE to purchase and use a weapon in the state if it was manufactured by a Utah company-without a Federal background check. Does this make any sense to any rational person? I own and use weapons legally and I am for REASONABLE gun control legislation.

Vauvban

This person had post traumatic stress disorder, not depression. There is a huge difference between them.

The amount of PTSD amongst returning veterans far exceeds 30% of the armed forces. Although this situation is extreme, the suicide rate far exceeds what the government is saying along with the physical abuse that this group is responsible for. This is just the tip of the iceburg of what is happening to the psyche of our veterans, and the military tries its hardest not to take care of our messed up vets. There are far too many time bombs walking on eggs. We as citizens need to say to congress, enough war.