Preventing mental health-related mass shootings

“But to ascribe violence to the whole mental health community really does a disservice to the whole issue of destigmatizing a mental illness”. The funding would accompany a number of executive actions he plans for tightening restrictions on gun sales by clarifying who should be licensed as a gun dealer and therefore required to conduct background checks on customers. “What the president is doing is closing a loophole”, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, said.

“Rather than unilaterally impose a gun control agenda that’s unlawful and strips the constitutional rights of elderly Americans, the President should better enforce current law and work with Congress on legislation reforming our mental health system”, Cornyn said, in a statement.

President Obama is trying to make more gun sales subject to background checks, unveiling a more sweeping definition of gun dealers, to include people at gun shows, websites and flea markets.

In a statement, Blunt accused the President of trying to “dilute” second amendment rights. He said the government will be putting $500 million toward improving access across the country.

While President Barack Obama’s planned executive action aimed at decreasing gun violence does include a plan for easier access to mental health care, it also calls for doctors to report mentally ill patients to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Instead, it will allow legitimate and legal gun retailers to sell on a more level playing field because they will not have to compete with unlicensed sellers, Gallego said. He was flanked by people who had lost loved ones in past shootings. Major gun reform – including universal background checks – will be a long-term fight, Murphy said, one that he is fully committed to. Sen. “These steps are smart, reasonable and most importantly, will make a life or death difference for some children and their families”, Warren said. “There is no evidence that this is a category of people who are at risk of committing gun violence”. Previously, the privacy rule in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevented mental health providers from sharing mental health information. “We will ensure that federal mental health records are submitted to the background check system”. A report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released in December found that only 23 states increased mental health spending in 2015, compared to 36 states than increased funding in 2013 and 29 who raised it in 2014.