I would ask the state Legislature to consider the implications to my officers and public safety before making "technical changes" to provisions of the gun control law that are being requested by some within the mental health system.
Some psychiatrists and psychologists argue they should not be required to report someone who is under their care and likely to become dangerous. They claim it might make some future patient less than honest or even not come in. But from a law enforcement perspective, we believe the risk of that resulting in violence is far less than letting someone known to be mentally ill and believed to be dangerous keep his or her weapons. Even the staunchest gun advocates support removing guns from this very small group of severely mentally ill.
Another "technical change" is proposed by the New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors. Governor Cuomo included a very smart mental illness-related provision in the NY SAFE Act. Rather than have mental health workers report people who are likely to become dangerous directly to the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the act requires that they be reported to the county mental health director who can determine whether to pass it on. The beauty of this provision is that it informs county mental health directors who in their community may need help the most immediately. CLMHD argues the provision is an "unfunded mandate" and asked to be taken out of the loop. We need a system that delivers treatment before tragedy. We ask the Legislature not to overturn these important mental illness related provisions.
Michael Biasotti is president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.