N.J. entering mental illness-related records into gun safety data base

[SecularMotion]

People who have been committed because of mental illness and those who have been ruled mentally incompetent are barred from buying guns. Their names are supposed to be listed in the national background check database -- but these records are very spotty. For example, the Virginia Tech shooter's name should have been in that data base but wasn't.

After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, federal grant money was offered to states to upgrade these records, but not much has happened.

The coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns is now putting pressure on state and federal governments to act.

The organization's website features a new, interactive map; click on your state and it returns the number of mental illness-related records that have been submitted.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/health-science/item/43274-new-jersey-is-working-on-entering-mental-illness-related-records-into-gun-safety-data-base?Itemid=3

[slackmaster]

1. Better late than never

[petronius]

2. Good on NJ (better late than never) and good for the feds for

kicking in some money...

[Reasonable_Argument]

3. I don't think you'll find much argument with this here

People who the courts have decided are a threat to society shouldn't own firearms.

[Simo 1939_1940]

4. Sounds good to me! NT

[AtheistCrusader]

5. Good post, SM.

Like to see more of those.

[safeinOhio]

6. OMG, gun control laws.

Next thing you know, they'll want back ground checks on private sales, just like dealer sales. This is just the first step, down that slippery slope of making it harder to buy a handgun.


All kidding aside, bout time.

[Missycim]

8. I know its hard

but you don't have to do your shtick all the time.


This was a good move, now we just have to turn NJ into a Shall Issue state.

[aikoaiko]

7. I thank the NRA and lawmakers for writing the bill that tightened reporting & provided funding

How do you like the NRA now?

February 11, 2009 4:42 PM
NRA, Democrats Team Up To Pass Gun Bill

After 52 years in Congress, John Dingell knows it sometimes takes a "rather curious alliance," such as between the National Rifle Association and the House's most fervent gun control advocate, to move legislation.

That's what took place Wednesday when the House, by voice vote, passed a gun control bill that Rep. Dingell, D-Mich., helped broker between the NRA and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y.

With the NRA on board, the bill, which fixes flaws in the national gun background check system that allowed the Virginia Tech shooter to buy guns despite his mental health problems, has a good chance of becoming the first major gun control law in more than a decade.
.
.
.
The legislation requires state and federal agencies to transmit all relevant disqualifying records to the NICS database. It also provides $250 million a year over the next three years to help states meet those goals and it imposes penalties — including cuts in federal grants under an anti-crime law — on states that fail to meet benchmarks for automating their systems and supplying information to the NICS.

[rl6214]

9. As well they should, you do support this, right?

kinda hard to tell with your non-comment.

[spin]

10. I believe everyone here feels this is a damn good idea. (n/t)

[Atypical Liberal]

11. It's good to see this NRA-backed law starting to get some compliance.

States should be required to submit this information.

It is inexcusable to know who the crazy people are and not get them in the NICS database of prohibited persons.

[GreenStormCloud]

12. Sounds good to me.

You do realize that the NRA supports the NICS don't you?

[rDigital]

13. Good post, but

you still have to comment with the rest of us.

[gejohnston]

14. have you been expecting a different reaction?

inquiring minds want to know.

[radonc]

15. this issue needs to be placed back on the front burner and kicked and spread

http://www.demandaplan.org/FatalGaps

we need to demand a plan again to stop gun violence.

we need to fill the fatal gaps in the mental health gun screening database

this needs to be fully funded and the database updated.

we need to move on banning assault rifles and extended magazines.

http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/home/demandaplan.html