President Barack Obama (file photo)
Minnesotan Diane Sellgren, whose daughter committed suicide in 2011, was in the room at the invitation of the White House as President Obama announced he’ll take executive action to reduce gun violence. The president says, “High-profile mass shootings tend to shine a light on those few mentally unstable people who inflict harm on others, but the truth is that nearly two in three gun deaths are from suicides.” The president says he’ll ensure that federal mental health records are submitted to the background check system and remove barriers that prevent states from reporting relevant information. Obama is also asking Congress for 500 million dollars to expand access to mental health treatment.