title: California Firearms Law and Mental Illness.
abstract: California provides numerous pathways by which people with mental illness can qualify for a state-level firearm prohibition. The state's involuntary detention for psychiatric treatment, or "5150" (CA W&I Code 5150) process, is often cited as one potential mechanism for reducing violence by dangerous people, though its use is limited to people whose dangerousness is due to a mental illness. Additionally, California has taken legislative steps to prohibit firearm ownership among other people who have an increased risk of violence, regardless of whether or not mental illness is a factor. This article compares the California firearm ownership disqualification system for mental illness with the federal system and those of other states, examines the strengths and weaknesses of this system, and reviews alternatives.
authors.affiliation: UC Davis, Department of Psychiatry, 2230 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barnhorst
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D017007:Duty to Warn / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D035082:Federal Government; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*