General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I hear people on DU say those with CWP rarely use their guns to shoot others [View all]Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)I'd like to see more strict regulation of just which mental health diagnoses disqualify someone from possessing firearms. Currently, the only prohibitions of this type are for persons who have been "adjudicated mentally defective" or somesuch language. I think that behavioral healthcare professionals could determine a list of diagnoses that would disqualify an applicant, and this information could be used to provide a "yes/no" answer to a background check (without divulging any confidential medical records information).
I would also like to see even misdemeanor convictions for violent crimes disqualify a person from firearms possession. A lot of simple assaults and DV crimes are not felonies (and I suppose that's okay), but I think they indicate that a person is unsuitable for possessing weapons. Perhaps there should a way to be granted an exemption (after, say, being certified as having successfully undergone treatment for mental health issues leading to violent behavior), but such exemptions should be difficult to get.
Just a couple of ideas...