Advocacy E-News February 22, 2018
February 22, 2018
THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM CAN’T STOP MASS SHOOTERS
Each mass shooting reignites a debate about what causes this type of violence and how it can be prevented. Those who oppose further restrictions on gun ownership often set their sights on the mental health care system. Shouldn’t psychiatrists be able to identify someone as dangerous as the individual in Florida?
It’s much harder than it sounds.
BUDGET UNDERCUTS TRUMP FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH, SCHOOL SAFETY
President Donald Trump is calling for a focus on mental health and school safety in response to shootings like the one that took 17 lives in Florida, but his budget would cut funding in both areas. Trump’s latest budget would slash the major source of public funds for mental health treatment, the Medicaid program a key source of mental health funding in New Jersey.
‘RED FLAG’ FIREARM-RESTRAINING LEGISLATION CONSIDERED IN NJ
In the wake of the Florida school shooting and other mass killings, legislators in New Jersey and Delaware are considering risk-based gun removal laws. Also known as “red flag” laws, the measures allow family members and law enforcement agents to petition a judge to restrict a person’s access to guns — if they believe that person could be a threat. Laws like these aim to target those who are experiencing crisis or exhibiting dangerous behavior and may pose a threat to themselves or others if armed.
LANCE: LIFT THE FEDERAL BAN ON GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH
Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today said it is time to end a 22-year restriction that forbids the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from studying the links between mental health and gun violence.
“By removing restrictions that prevent the federal government from studying mental health issues that lead to gun violence, Congress could have a clearer picture of what effective policies and solutions might be taken to stem the tide of violence,” said Lance.
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