Firearm Laws, Patients, and the Roles of Psychiatrists

Author: Norris, Donna M. / Price, Marilyn / Gutheil, Thomas / Reid, William H.
Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Education/Counseling Gun Carrying Legislation and Policy Ownership Surveillance/Data Collection U.S./National
Keywords: PHYSICIANS PSYCHIATRISTS PUERTO Rico STATUTES WASHINGTON (D.C.)
Bibliographic information +

The firearms statutes of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were surveyed from late 2001 through February 2005. Particular attention was paid to the legal access to firearms by persons with mental illness and/or alcohol or substance abuse in order to educate clinicians about the impact of firearms statutes and restrictions for their patients. Prohibitions of firearms licensure for persons with mental illness exist in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Prohibitions for drug abuse exist in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Prohibitions for alcohol abuse exist in 31 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Databases tracking individuals with mental illness exist in 20 states and the District of Columbia. The firearms statues are not uniform; they vary considerably in ownership and/or carry restrictions on the manner in which restricted individuals are defined.