The South Dakota House is discussing ways to deal with mental illness and guns. House Bill 1229 aims for mentally ill individuals to be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Lawmakers believe this is a step in the right direction to ensure mentally ill individuals can't harm themselves or others with a gun. Republican State Representative Steve Hickey says he agrees with this bill.
"I don’t know another way, across state lines to do these back ground checks or ensure that people who really shouldn’t have guns don’t get guns. I do support the bill, I hope you will as well and let’s keep talking about the mental health issue and get the focus of what kind of gun it is," Representative Hickey says.
Opponents say mental illness is a broad term that can at times be hard to prove. This bill passed the House Senate 53 to 17 and it goes next to the Senate.
