Proposed Law Could Use Therapy as Way to Seize Guns from Troubled Owners

Mental health professionals are raising concerns about a bill that would require them to report to the attorney general any patients they feel are likely to harm themselves or others, allowing authorities to seize firearms from those who are registered gun owners.

The proposed legislation is a possible step that Gov. Chris Christie and the state Senate could take as they mull what to do to address guns in the wake of the Newtown, CT, mass shooting.

The Assembly has passed a series of bills focusing on guns, including A-3754, which would apply to psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, nurses, clinical social workers, and marriage counselors.

Many of these professionals argue that the bill could do more harm than good.

The measure would require them to report to the attorney general any patient who is “likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to that patient or others.” The attorney general’s office would then check to see if the patient has any gun permits and, if he or she does, instruct the police to seize the weapons.

Some mental health professionals said the bill could lead patients who own guns to lie to their therapists or to avoid seeking mental health care in the first place. In addition, the bill’s language is more open to interpretation than current state law that requires these practitioners to violate patient confidentiality.

Read the rest of the story on NJ Spotlight.com

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.

--

Follow Fort Lee Patch on Facebook and Twitter. Sign-up for Fort Lee Patch's newsletter and get news delivered to your in-box every day.