State Reporting Requirements for Involuntary Holds, Court-Ordered Guardianship, and the US National Firearm Background Check System.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Firearm violence is a leading cause of death in the US. There is broad public agreement that individuals at high risk of perpetrating violence should not be allowed to purchase or possess firearms. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is a national system intended to stop firearm purchases or possession by prohibited persons, but there is heterogeneity in how states interact with and report data to NICS.

Objective

To examine variability in state requirements for NICS reporting for mental health prohibitions.

Design and setting

This cross-sectional study in the US reviewed current statutes for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (enacted through the 2021 legislative session) regarding reporting mental health prohibitions to NIC

SUBMITTER: Betz ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10656649 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature