Md. Panel on Mentally Ill Gun Access Recommends Seizure if Person Poses Threat

A Maryland panel studying firearms access by mentally ill residents recommends that firearms should be seized if a licensed health care provider, educator or member of law enforcement finds a person poses a threat that is substantiated in an investigation by law enforcement.

The Task Force to Study Access of Mentally Ill Individuals to Regulated Firearms report released Wednesday says state law does not currently require the reporting of threats. It says all threats toward a reasonably identifiable victim should be reported to local law enforcement.

The task force recommends that mandated reporting should apply to psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians and social workers. The report also says it should apply to addiction treatment counselors, educators, case managers and probation agents.