Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Barbara Watson (D-Miami) to restrict the purchase of firearms by mentally ill individuals has been signed into law, making it the only Democratic-sponsored gun measure this year to pass in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
House Bill 1355, which enjoys the backing of the Unified Sportsmen of Florida, an affiliate of the National Rifle Association, closes a gap that has previously allowed people faced with commitment for psychiatric treatment to purchase guns. While gun buyers already have had to state that they have not been adjudicated mentally incompetent, some patients have agreed to voluntary commitment and then withdrawn that agreement, meaning they have not been adjudicated dangerous to themselves or others and have been able to access guns.
The law, having been signed by Governor Rick Scott, takes effect today (July 1).
“I am proud to have been the House sponsor of this measure to enhance Florida’s ability to keep persons with mental illnesses who are known to be a danger to themselves or others from purchasing firearms,” said Representative Watson. “This new law will give needed protection for Floridians.”
