End Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act of 2019

End Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act of 2019

This bill addresses reporting systems and mental health records for certain individuals who are prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm.

Specifically, the bill requires each state to

• establish a reporting system through which mental health professionals may report information about an individual committed to a mental institution who poses a danger or an individual who communicates a serious threat of violence,
• provide mental health records to the National Instant Criminal History Background Check System for use in determining whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm, and
• establish a process related to the temporary involuntary commitment of individuals at mental health facilities.

Beginning 10 years after the bill's enactment, the Department of Justice must reduce by 5% funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for a state that fails to comply with these requirements.

The bill expands the categories of persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm to include persons who communicate a serious threat of violence to a mental health professional.

Finally, the bill replaces various statutory references to persons adjudicated as a mental defective with references to persons adjudicated as ineligible due to disqualifying mental status.