New York Mental Health Reporting Law Bars 34,500 New York Residents From Gun Ownership

In the 18 months since New York State launched mental health reporting provisions of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act of 2013, mental health professionals have reported about 34,500 patients as likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to self or others. The NY SAFE Act requires physicians (including psychiatrists), psychologists, registered nurses, and licensed clinical social workers to report clinical concerns about patients to their county director of community services. If the county officials agree with the concerns in the clinical professional’s assessment, the patient’s name is entered . . .