Connecticut Senate Bill SB00780

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/21
• Refer: 1/29/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Emergency Certificates Issued By Physicians And Firearm Possession And Sales.

Impact

The bill potentially alters existing protocols governing the intersection of mental health diagnoses and firearm accessibility. By integrating emergency psychiatric commitments into the registry, it allows for more stringent screening of individuals who may pose a risk if allowed to possess firearms. This change seeks to contribute to a broader public safety initiative by prioritizing mental health evaluations in firearm transactions, which may also lead to an increased burden on healthcare and law enforcement agencies tasked with implementing these regulations.

Summary

SB00780, titled 'An Act Concerning Emergency Certificates Issued by Physicians and Firearm Possession and Sales,' aims to enhance the state's public safety measures by incorporating temporary psychiatric commitments into the criteria for firearm possession and sales. Specifically, the bill mandates that any individual temporarily committed to a hospital under an emergency certificate issued by a physician must be documented in the existing registry maintained by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. This registry is crucial for assessing an individual's suitability for purchasing or possessing firearms, thereby addressing concerns regarding mental health and gun ownership.

Contention

There are significant contentions surrounding SB00780. Proponents argue that including emergency certifications in the firearm possession criteria is a necessary step towards preventing gun violence associated with unaddressed mental health conditions. However, critics may raise concerns regarding privacy and the potential stigma attached to mental health treatment. They argue that such measures could unjustly impact individuals who may seek help for psychiatric issues, thereby deterring them from accessing necessary services due to fear of repercussions on their rights to bear arms.