Massachusetts’ low suicide rate is credited in part to the state’s tough gun control laws, but a 5-year-old state law allowing firearms to be confiscated from individuals in a mental health crisis is seldom used.
Data from the state Trial Court shows the law was used to confiscate firearms belonging to just 12 people last year, which is higher than the previous year.
In all, there have been 57 ‘extreme risk’ petitions filed under the 2018 state law, which was passed in the wake of previous school shootings nationally.
Lawmakers are poised to expand the scope of the law as part of a new gun safety bill being considered by a legislative committee.
The changes, if approved, would dramatically expand that list to include various professionals, like physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, marriage counselors, social workers, school administrators, and employers, among others.
Supporters argue that the expansion will save lives by preventing people in crisis from dying by killing themselves or others. Gun control advocates are concerned that the number of petitions under the law lags behind other states with similar laws.
This is a law that can save lives when it’s utilized, said Angus McQuilken, a longtime gun control advocate and co-founder of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. But people can only make use of this tool if they know about it.
Critics say the law lacks due process and violates Second Amendment rights in a state with some of the toughest gun control laws in the nation. They also argue that the law doesn’t provide additional mental health resources to prevent possible mass shootings or suicides by firearms.
Regulations vary widely, but at least 20 states and Washington, D.C., have red-flag laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com
