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Bill

Bill

S 4790

Requires a purchaser of any firearm, rifle or shotgun to submit to a mental health evaluation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Sanders

Bill S 4790 requires firearm purchasers to undergo a mental health evaluation, aiming to enhance public safety by identifying potential risks before sales.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4790

Summary of Bill S 4790

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: S 4790
  • Title: Requires a purchaser of any firearm, rifle, or shotgun to submit to a mental health evaluation
  • Status: Referred to Codes
  • Introduced: February 12, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 4790 is to enhance public safety by requiring individuals who wish to purchase firearms, rifles, or shotguns to undergo a mental health evaluation. This measure aims to ensure that individuals who may pose a risk to themselves or others are identified before they can acquire firearms.

Key Provisions

  • Mental Health Evaluation Requirement:

    • All purchasers of firearms, rifles, or shotguns must submit to a mental health evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional.
    • The evaluation will assess the individual's mental fitness to possess a firearm.
  • Evaluation Process:

    • The specifics of the evaluation process, including the qualifications of the evaluators, will be outlined in subsequent regulations.
    • The bill does not specify the duration or cost of the evaluation, leaving these details to be determined by future legislative or regulatory actions.
  • Confidentiality and Privacy:

    • The bill emphasizes the need for confidentiality in the evaluation process to protect the privacy of individuals undergoing assessment.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Firearm Purchasers: Individuals seeking to buy firearms, rifles, or shotguns will be directly impacted by the new requirement for a mental health evaluation.
  • Mental Health Professionals: This bill may increase demand for mental health evaluations, potentially affecting the workload and resources of mental health providers.
  • Public Safety: The broader community may benefit from enhanced safety measures aimed at preventing firearm-related incidents.

Procedural Aspects

  • Current Status: The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, and has been referred to the Codes Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Bills: This bill is related to prior-session bills S 7065, S 1605, and S 4126, which may have addressed similar issues concerning firearm regulations and mental health assessments.

Conclusion

Bill S 4790 seeks to implement a mental health evaluation requirement for firearm purchasers as a means to improve public safety. As it progresses through the legislative process, further details regarding the evaluation process and its implementation will be crucial for understanding its full impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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