Bill aims to keep guns away from mentally ill
Florida Senate passes bill aimed at keeping guns away from people with mental illness
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Senate has passed a bill aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of people with mental illness.
Gun-rights advocates endorsed the bill, which heads to Gov. Rick Scott after clearing the Senate on a 38-0 vote Tuesday. The measure easily cleared the House earlier.
The bill (HB 1355) has emerged as the most prominent gun-related bill to come up during the 60-day legislative session that wraps up Friday.
The measure seeks to close a loophole to guard against gun purchases by people with mental illness. It deals with people who voluntarily admit themselves for treatment, then check out. At that point, they are able to obtain weapons.
Under the bill, their names would be put into state and national databases to prevent them from buying guns.
