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Mental Health Weapons Prohibition: Demographic and Psychiatric Factors in Petitions for Relief

NCJ Number
223892
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 971-974
Author(s)
Joseph R. Simpson M.D., Ph.D.; Kaushal K. Sharma M.D.
Date Published
July 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study reports on the demographic and psychiatric characteristics of a sample of individuals (n=57) in Los Angeles County (California) who petitioned for early relief from a 5-year ban on firearm possession due to a history of certain psychiatric diagnoses and/or treatment; outcomes of these petitions are also reported.
Abstract
The typical individual petitioning for early relief from firearm prohibition in Los Angeles County was a White male approximately 40 years old. The most common hospital diagnoses of mental illness involved unipolar mood disorders, alcohol and substance abuse diagnoses, and adjustment disorders. Nearly 80 percent of petitions were granted. Sixteen percent of petitioners were employed in fields for which possession of firearms was a requirement. All of these petitions were granted. In Los Angeles County, forensic psychiatrists with extensive experience in criminal forensic psychiatry evaluate petitioners for relief from firearms prohibitions. The evaluation consists of a review of records from the involuntary admission triggering the ban, a forensic psychiatric interview of the petitioner, and contact with collateral sources such as family members or current treatment providers. The specific issue addressed under California law is whether or not the individual would be able to use firearms in a safe and lawful manner. This encompasses risk for suicide and homicide as well as other types of risk, such as accidentally leaving a firearm where children may find it. Future research could include prospective data collection on psychiatric risk factors using standardized rating scales as well as longitudinal followup of petitioners’ subsequent psychiatric treatment and arrests. The petitions examined were filed between January 2005 and October 2006. 2 tables and 10 references

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