Recognizing that states play an important role in preventing gun violence and ensuring safe communities, the legislation provides states with the tools needed to strengthen and enforce gun violence prevention laws. Current federal law has been interpreted to apply only to inpatient commitments. Specifically, the legislation prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by individuals subject to involuntary outpatient commitment if a court finds they pose a significant and dangerous threat to themselves or others. The Safer Communities Act of 2017 clarifies and expands existing federal prohibitors to help keep guns away from those who are determined to pose a danger to themselves or others. вЂњWeвЂ™ve seen far too many tragedies in our communities and we must take steps to prevent future tragedies by making gun violence less easy, less frequent and less deadly.вЂќ ItвЂ™s important to keep guns away from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others and instead provide them with the mental health services they need,вЂќ said Rep. вЂњThis is a common sense proposal to reduce the likelihood of individuals suffering from mental illness from accessing firearms. And by improving intervention services, boosting evidence-based research, and giving law enforcement more tools to get guns out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves or others, we can make our country safer and get people the help they need, while also respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.вЂќ вЂњWhile those suffering from mental illness are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crimes, we recognize that improving our mental health system, and keeping firearms from those with other risk factors such as a history of substance abuse disorders and violence, can help prevent gun violence. The Safer Communities Act weвЂ™ve introduced today would address that problem and keep guns out of the hands of the dangerously mentally ill,вЂќ said Rep. вЂњAfter nearly every gun violence tragedy, weвЂ™ve heard many say that guns are not the problem, mental health is. The legislation closes the gaps in current federal gun policy by clarifying and expanding existing federal prohibitors related to mental health, substance abuse, history of violence, and other risk factors provides states with the tools needed to strengthen and enforce gun violence prevention laws provides resources for mental health crisis intervention services and improves records reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). 4142, the Safer Communities Act of 2017, legislation aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence by keeping guns away from people who should not have them. Washington, DC вЂ“ Today, Congressmen Mike Thompson (CA-05), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Vice-Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, introduced H.R.

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