Gov. Nathan Deal is backing a stricter review of Georgia’s mental-health records for gun-permit applicants.
Deal said Wednesday that he would support procedural changes to ensure state agencies are checking mental-health records of people seeking gun permits.
“We think that is one area where we need to be more vigilant,” he said.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said there’s no legislation tied to the effort, but that the state will beef up its review process to make sure the state is “doing everything it can to protect Georgians’ safety.”
A federal law adopted after the Virginia Tech massacre requires states to share the names of mentally-ill people with the national background-check system to prevent them from buying guns.
While many states don’t comply, records show Georgia has submitted thousands of those records since the law was passed in 2008.
The governor also voiced support for a measure introduced by state Rep. Paul Battles, R-Cartersville, that would allow local school boards to arm principals. He said he expected the proposal to recieve “favorable consideration” from lawmakers.
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