Introduction
Gun violence is a growing national concern in the United States. In recent years, gun violence has drawn more attention due to the high number of mass shootings in schools and public areas. In 2022, the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit revealed that a quarter of 63 active mass shooters had mental illness diagnoses. Most perpetrators of gun violence have anger issues, which may be symptoms of underlying psychiatric conditions. As the data analysis on gun violence reveals an increasingly more significant association between gun violence and mental health, legislators and policymakers need to do more to address the root causes of gun-related deaths and injuries. The Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023 is a proposed bill that seeks to address the gun violence problem by improving access to mental health care.
Purpose Statement
This paper aims to examine the Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023 (H.R.46) by evaluating the legislation’s intent and its potential impact in reducing gun violence through interventions that increase access to mental healthcare services. The analysis will also advocate for a position in support of the bill as a minor yet significant part of the journey toward addressing the gun violence menace.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Legislative Intent
According to the proposed bill’s text, the primary intent of H.R.46 is to authorize funding to increase access to mental health care treatment to reduce gun violence. The bill seeks to achieve this goal by appropriating funds to the tune of $500 billion to the Attorney General of the U.S., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Commissioner of Social Security (Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act, 2023). With these funds, the entities are expected to develop and run programs that improve Americans’ access to psychiatric healthcare. They will also facilitate a reporting system for mental health information that may bar individuals from purchasing or owning a gun and relay such information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Proponents/Opponents of the Bill
The bill was sponsored by Sheila Jackson Lee, the House Representative for Texas’ eighteenth congressional district. Democrats in Congress have been key proponents of the legislation, as with most bills targeting gun control and addressing gun violence. Mental health advocacy organizations such as Mental Health America (MHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also support the bill as they conduct advocacy, education, and public awareness campaigns to promote the overall well-being of people with mental illnesses. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is another organization that supports the bill as part of efforts to impose stricter background checks for gun owners. Most opponents of the bill are gun rights advocacy groups who prioritize the Second Amendment.
Target Populations
The primary target populations addressed by H.R.46 are individuals with mental health conditions. By broadening mental healthcare services, the legislation also targets the general public, who are poised to benefit from improved access to care services.
Current Status
H.R.46 is currently under consideration in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Judiciary.
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
As a mental health advocate and concerned citizen, I support the Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023. Since 2014, more than 39,000 people have died from gun violence, with statistics revealing that 327 people are shot daily 9 (Washburn, 2024; Alfonseca, 2023). A recent study by Skeem and Mulvey (2019) established that people with psychiatric disorders are overrepresented among mass shooters, thus proving that a connection exists between mental illnesses and gun violence. To effectively address the gun violence problem, we must deal with the mental health epidemic and provide a channel for reporting individuals whose state of mental health may compromise their ability to use firearms for safe and legal purposes. This bill represents a significant step in the effort toward creating communities that are safe and secure for all Americans.
Bill H.R.46 seeks to tackle gun violence by increasing mental health access and better reporting to maintain an accurate database of people who should be disqualified from owning and using firearms. The social determinants of income, age, education, and gender shape individuals’ access to mental healthcare and their risk of being affected by gun violence. Because of financial challenges, low-income individuals cannot quickly get mental health services, which leads to disparities in health care. Furthermore, young adults and adolescents, particularly those from marginalized communities, may lack access to mental health resources and support systems, leading to their exposure to mental crises and gun-related incidents (Bottiani et al., 2021). Moreover, mentally ill persons who have had no formal education have lower chances of knowing where they can get aid for their predicament. Lastly, gender-based violence and societal expectations shape an individual’s experience with mental health as well as vulnerability toward gun violence. In this regard, women are more likely to be exposed to gun-related violence and the resulting consequences. This bill considers these social determinants of health and creates a funding model that prioritizes people at high risk of being perpetrators and victims of gun violence associated with mental health illnesses.
To debunk some myths about the bill, I want to address its proponents. The research by the National Institute of Mental Health and CDC demonstrates that mental illness is closely related to gun violence and, as such, underlines the importance of considering mental health in public health planning. While some opponents to the bill may cite stigmatization and violation of gun rights, there is an essential boundary between personal freedom and people’s safety. This legislation does not purposefully bar any individual from owning a firearm but instead advocates for proper identification of those who pose threats to themselves and others around them.
Conclusion
The Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023 is a proposed bill that seeks to address the gun violence problem by improving access to mental health care. The bill intends to authorize funding to increase access to mental health care treatment to reduce gun violence. With expanded mental healthcare services, fewer people will engage in gun violence due to psychiatric illnesses. Improved reporting will also enhance background checks, thus barring potential perpetrators of gun violence from owning firearms.
References
Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023, H.R., 118th Congress. (2023). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/46?s=1&r=52&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22mental+health%22%7D
Skeem, J., & Mulvey, E. (2019). What role does serious mental illness play in mass shootings, and how should we address it? Criminology & Public Policy, 19(1), 85-108. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12473
Bottiani, J. H., Camacho, D. A., Lindstrom Johnson, S., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2021). Annual research review: Youth firearm violence disparities in the United States and implications for prevention. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 62(5), 563-579. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13392
Alfonseca, K. (2023, December 7). More than 40,000 people killed in gun violence so far in 2023. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/116-people-died-gun-violence-day-us-year/story?id=97382759#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20has%20surpassed%2039%2C000,44%2C310%20such%20deaths%20in%202022
Washburn, K. (2024, February 14). Nearly 43,000 people died from gun violence in 2023: How to tell the story. Association of Health Care Journalists. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/46?s=1&r=52&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22mental+health%22%7D
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