By Sean Quigley
The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously passed a law Tuesday to cross-reference persons involuntarily admitted to psychiatric hospitals with local pistol permit registries, hoping to serve as a model for localities across the nation.
The sponsor, Legislator Kara Hahn designed the measure to support Gov. Cuomo’s “common sense” gun control policies in the wake of mass shootings such as Sandy Hook.
“These events left an impression and mark on everyone,” said Hahn. “Certainly this will continue to haunt all of us, but today we have an opportunity to set an example for the nation.”
Police Commissioner Edward Webber supported the move, which stipulates that when a person is taken by authorities for psychotic behavior cross-checks would automatically occur to discover if the patient has access to firearms, then prompting further investigation and possible suspension or revocation of the pistol permit or that of any gun owner in the home.
Webber insisted no rights would be suspended without reasonable belief that the mentally ill person poses a serious threat to themselves or others.
“Although our police force is not psychiatrists or therapists they do receive training on recognizing threats and observing behavior,” he said. “We will act on the events of threatening actions and the accounts of family members.”
Hahn added that this measure will, air max 90 “laser focus on those who are threats, as most with mental illness are not a danger.”
Second Amendment advocate Jan Williams of Riverhead spoke out against the measure, arguing it might strip many innocent Long Islanders of their constitutional rights. “It doesn’t take much to take someone for a psych evaluation,” he said. “You’re making laws with no redress for the innocent. If I’m blowing off steam after my wife left me and someone calls the cops… when can I get my firearms back?”
Webber tackled this objection: ”Every circumstance is different; this is all consistent with second amendment rights…We notify the licensing bureau, it does not change the licensing process.”
Hahn contended that the measure would prevent guns falling into dangerous hands, noting the two things all mass shootings have in common were “mental illness and access to firearms…If somebody is taken involuntarily to a psychiatric center, that’s a red flag.”
She concluded: “As federal government debates nationally, local communities can make small and meaningful changes. “
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