November 4, 2013
Rhode Island’s Behavioral Health and Firearms Safety Task Force was tasked with proposing “legislation and recommendations to support the state’s full participation in the NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System] Index.” Maintained by the FBI, the NICS Index contains information on people legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, including those with mental illness or non-criminal drug abuse records. These comments are our take on the civil liberties implications and our related concerns.