Story Archive

“Cured” Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does

In 2006, Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael L. Keyes was clinically depressed and suicidal. He was ordered to undergo mental health treatment — which was considered an involuntary mental commitment. He was successfully treated and his doctor cleared him to return to duty, but the State Police refused to reinstate him. After a court fight, the state was ordered to return him to work in 2010, and Keyes was even awarded back pay. But federal law says anyone involuntarily committed to a mental institution cannot possess firearms, so Keyes is in the odd position of being allowed to carry a gun at work, but not when off-duty. “The dangers inherent in the possession of firearms by the mentally ill are manifest,” a Superior Court judge said. Keyes responded that every doctor who has examined him states he is fully recovered. “A present clean bill of health is no guarantee that a relapse is not possible,” the judge retorted, adding that there is “an important government interest in controlling the availability of firearms for those who have ever been adjudged mentally defective or have ever been committed to a mental institution but are now deemed to be cured.” (RC/Harrisburg Patriot-News) ...Which makes it that much harder to get actual crazies to seek mental health care.