May 19, 2013
ATLANTA (AP) -- Republican lawmakers are backing away from a plan that could have allowed more mentally ill people to carry guns.
A House committee voted Wednesday to change a proposal that would generally allow permit holders to carry guns in more places.
Under current law, anyone who has received in-patient treatment at a mental health hospital or substance abuse treatment center in the last five years can be denied a permit to carry a gun. But the GOP plan no longer places that restriction on those voluntarily seeking treatment, only those forced by law to receive it.
Their bill would force authorities to check for evidence of mental health problems.
Republican Rep. Rick Jasperse added new restrictions Wednesday that apply to people who threaten violence or are under legal guardianship.
