COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The chief of South Carolina’s law enforcement agency says a law meant to prevent the mentally ill from buying guns has already led to 12 people being denied a concealed weapons permit.
Chief Mark Keel told legislators Friday that the State Law Enforcement Division has also revoked 65 permits because of the law approved last May.
The law ensured the names of residents declared mentally ill by a South Carolina court go into a federal database so they can be caught by a background check. It was already illegal to sell guns to someone who is mentally ill. But the lack of reporting meant gun shops didn’t get that information.
Keel says the agency’s new mental health reporting unit averages putting 500 names a week into the database.
Source: http://www.wltx.com/story/news/local/2014/02/21/65-gun-permits-revoked/5694341/
Laws like this only discourage those who need to psychological help to seek it. Besides, what is the likelihood that those people denied were planning on shooting anyone?
In Detroit there are plenty of arsonists that like to burn homes for fun and profits (for the insurance), yet you don’t see Gasoline Registration, or waiting periods to buy flammable devices.
Here’s the truth, people who commit crimes should be in jail. People who are dangerous to others should be in a mental institution. If you’re healthy enough to be free, you’re healthy enough to buy a gun.
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Gregory Smith