Under current laws, it is far too easy to someone with a severe mental illness to purchase a firearm, and allowing these individuals to bring guns home is downright dangerous, fatally dangerous.  Such was the case with 38 year old Colby Sue Weathers.  Weathers, a resident of Missouri, had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was put on disability due to her illness.  When she received a disability check in the mail, she decided to purchase a handgun.  Odessa Gun & Pawn Shop sold her the weapon after performing a routine background check. She was free and clear, according to the check, to own a weapon, and there was no way the shop would have known about Colby Sue’s illness if not for her parents' pleas.

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An hour later, Weathers would return home and fatally shoot her father, Tex.  She had planned to take her own life, too, but instead placed a call to 911, telling the operator, “I can’t shoot myself.  I was going to after I did it, but I couldn’t bring myself to it." Weathers was arrested and charged with murder. Janet and Tex had been high school sweethearts, married for 40 years.  Janet lost her entire family in the blink of an eye despite having done everything in her power to prevent the situation. She was devastated and furious.  For a mere $60 profit, the Odessa shop had made a fateful, life-changing decision.  Delana filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the store, which argued it had done nothing wrong, but eventually agreed to settle the case for $2.2 million. Janet said she isn’t trying to take guns away from everyone, just those who are too ill to make responsible decisions on their own.  Tex wouldn't have been fatally shot had the store manager just listened.  “I will do whatever I can. I’m working for justice for Tex. I’m not sitting around brooding.”

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A warning, a gun sale and tragic consequencesDespite Missouri mother's plea, mentally ill daughter was sold a gun. She shot her father an hour later.