Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms
Homeland Security Digital Library Blog 2013-01-03
Summary:
The Task Force to Study Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms, created during the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly, released a report this month examining "the links among individuals with mental illness, access to firearms, and a propensity for violence". Input was received from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, mental health providers, individuals who have struggled with mental illness, and those who have been impacted by gun violence.
The report outlines several recommendations which "balance the need to protect the public from dangerous individuals with the need to protect individuals with mental illness from undue discrimination and stigma." Nine recommendations are put forth, but the Task Force recognizes "that more work needs to be done to increase our understanding of the connection between mental illness, substance abuse, and violence."
The Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention issued a press release as well, where a series of additional documents can be found to aid the discussion of these significant issues.