Prevention of Gun Violence by Mental Health Consumers in Texas

Goals

Proactive prevention of additional mass shootings through early detection and appropriate response (SB 460)

Improved healthcare for mental health consumers

Outcomes

Senate Bill 1189 approved (145-1) in House of Representatives (Effective 9/1/13)

$259 million increase in budgeted spending for mental health programs

Senate Bill 460 approved (97-35) in House of Representatives (Effective 9/1/13)

Unintended Consequences?

Potential fiscal burden of firearm disposal passed to local agencies when seized unclaimed firearms are unsellable (law requires sale and prohibits destruction/disposal of guns)

Allow seizure of firearms possessed by persons in mental crisis (SB 1189)

Establish procedure for return of firearms after treatment or determination of inability to possess firearms due to mental instability (SB 1189)

Enable disposal of unclaimed seized firearms (SB 1189)

Increase of state funding for mental health programs (State budget)

Requirement of training for public school teachers in recognizing and responding to students with potential mental health disorders (SB 460)

Health and Safety Code Section 573.001

Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.191

Senate Bill 1189

Senate Bill 460

Bipartisan Political Support

Republicans

Joan Huffman (R) - SB 1189 Author

Governor Rick Perry - Signed bill

Democrats

Interest Groups Supporting

Texas Concealed Handgun Association

National Alliance on Mental Health

Texas Appleseed