A gun control bill introduced in the House of Representatives last month would mandate licensing to own a firearm and also require applicants to undergo a psychological evaluation to qualify.
According to H.R. 127, the “Sabika Sheikh Firearm Licensing and Registration Act” introduced Jan. 4 by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, individuals seeking a gun license would be required to take part in a psychological evaluation, and anyone who has been hospitalized as a result of mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, homicidal or suicidal thoughts or a brain disease would be deemed ineligible for a license.
The psychological evaluation would also include other members in a household, current and former spouses, relatives and associates.
“…the evaluation is conducted by a licensed psychologist approved by the Attorney General; as deemed necessary by the licensed psychologist involved, the evaluation included a psychological evaluation of other members of the household in which the individual resides; and as part of the psychological evaluation, the licensed psychologist interviewed any spouse of the individual, any former spouse of the individual, and at least 2 other persons who are a member of the family of, or an associate of, the individual to further determine the state of the mental, emotional, and relational stability of the individual in relation to firearms,” the bill states.
Jurisdiction over licensing would fall to the U.S. Attorney General through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The gun control bill that would also implement a minimum gun ownership age of 21-years-old, create a national firearm registry and require license holders to purchase $800 insurance from the Attorney General each year.
Individuals who knowingly violate the terms within the bill could face fines between $30,000 and $150,000, as well as five to 25 years in prison.
The pro-gun group Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms lambasted the proposed legislation, calling it “insanity on steroids.”
“Over the years, we’ve seen some astonishingly bad legislation originate on Capitol Hill, but this one takes the term ‘abomination’ to an entirely new level,” said Committee Chairman Alan Gottlieb in a statement. “One look at this bill and you wonder whether Congresswoman Jackson Lee ever heard of the Bill of Rights, which includes the Second Amendment.”
The chairman continued, “H.R. 127 is a constitutionally-challenged monstrosity. It ignores the fact that the Second Amendment protects a fundamental right to keep and bear arms, not some strictly-regulated government privilege. Government cannot require a psychological evaluation to exercise a right enumerated in the Constitution.”
“Instead of subjecting gun owners to such Draconian requirements, maybe it’s time to require psychological evaluations of each member of Congress,” he added.
