Assembly Panel Advances Democratic Measure to Tighten Mental Health Oversight for Gun Owners

Lampitt, Singleton, Cryan, O’Donnell, Quijano, Mainor & McKeon Bill Package Is Part of Comprehensive Anti-Gun Violence Initiative

(TRENTON) - An Assembly panel on Wednesday approved a two-bill package sponsored by Assembly Democrats Pamela Lampitt, Troy Singleton, Joseph Cryan, Jason O'Donnell, Annette Quijano, Charles Mainor and John McKeon to tighten mental health oversight for gun owners.

The measures were approved by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee during a special hearing as part of the comprehensive Assembly Democratic anti-gun violence initiative, which is comprised of more than two dozen bills.

The first bill (A-3717), sponsored by Lampitt and Singleton, would make it mandatory for the state to submit certain mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

"A crucial mental health reporting failure is what allowed the Virginia Tech shooter to purchase weapons despite being adjudicated mentally ill. Clearly, there needs to be greater coordination in incorporating mental health records into the background check process," said Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington). "The NICS relies on states to submit this information. If states fail to do so, the database will have incomplete or inaccurate records, allowing some individuals to purchase guns who should be prohibited. The goal of this legislation is to avoid that at all costs."

To continuing reading, please visit…
www.assemblydems.com
NJ Assembly Dems on YouTube
NJ Assembly Dems on Vimeo
NJ Assembly Dems on Facebook
NJ Assembly Dems on Twitter
NJ Assembly Dems e-mail alerts