The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits any person admitted to a mental institution from possessing a firearm. Even though more than half of people diagnosed with serious mental health problems will go untreated, this provides a huge opportunity for violently ill patients to harm others. The best way to prevent any crime is to eliminate the motive, means and opportunity. The motivations of the mentally ill can be as varied as the disabilities that affect them. Means and opportunities can be removed by adding mental health records and evaluations to standard background checks. In 2007, Connecticut experimented with adding psychiatric records to its background checks. The group they wanted to prevent from purchasing guns were people diagnosed with severe and violent mental illnesses, but who were not hospitalized. After it took effect, gun violence decreased by 53% statewide. Personally, I have seen firsthand how enraged and violent a person with a mental illness can become. One of my immediate family members was diagnosed with one of the most common illnesses in the United States, and yet every day is a struggle. She would become violent and extremely angry over the simplest things. Although all of these things have happened, she refuses to seek help and denies that anything is wrong. There is no logical way to reach people affected by these illnesses if they do not seek help.