Senators advanced a bill March 29 that would make mental health records accessible when conducting background checks for firearm purchases.<\/p>\n
LB512, introduced by Imperial Sen. Mark Christensen, would remove a maximum five-year retention requirement for mental health records at the state Department of Health and Human Services. Records would include whether a person is disqualified from purchasing or possessing a handgun and would be made available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The Nebraska State Patrol could access the system when determining a person\u2019s eligibility to own a gun.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the bill would enable a person who has been barred from buying or possessing a gun for mental health reasons to resubmit an application if he or she no longer suffers from the disqualifying condition. An individual could request a mental health board hearing at which the board would consider:
\n\u2022 circumstances surrounding the subject’s mental health commitment;
\n\u2022 the subject’s record, including mental health and criminal history records; and
\n\u2022 the subject’s reputation, developed through character witness statements, testimony or other character evidence.<\/p>\n
This bill provides a necessary piece of information that could prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands, Christensen said, while it provides an opportunity for others to own a firearm if they are no longer considered a threat to society.<\/p>\n
A proposed Judiciary Committee amendment outlined the process to appeal a denial of requested relief and also would require the courts to send an order to remove a subject\u2019s firearm-related disability to HHS and the state patrol within 30 days.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh offered an amendment to the committee amendment that was originally introduced as LB138. The provisions, adopted 35-0, would recognize valid handgun permits issued by previous states of new Nebraska residents.<\/p>\n
The committee amendment was adopted 39-0 and the bill advanced from general file on a 38-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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