Editor,

I heard Piers Morgan speaking with "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh last night about gun violence and the mentally ill in America. They were talking about how many of these people go unseen and fall through the cracks. This problem can be changed very easily. The answer is change the laws allowing people access to mental health care. Only if a person is suicidal, homicidal or gravely disabled can they access mental health services presently. Citizens should write to their congressman to introduce legislation making mental health care easily, and readily available. If this was done then certain individuals would be contained before they go on violent rampages. The fear and misunderstanding of such individuals is another problem that makes them more and more secluded and isolated in society. This is bad for anyone's health. It is still true though that criminal street gangs, organized crime and common thugs account for the vast majority of America's gun violence. Gun control for these groups is not so easy.

Patrick Field

Palo Alto