The state Senate unanimously voted today to require those involuntarily committed and found to be a danger to themselves and others to be reported to a national database that prevents them from purchasing guns.
The legislation was changed substantially before the 49-0 vote. Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger successfully amended the legislation to prevent those who were involuntarily committed to outpatient treatment, but not deemed a threat, from being placed on the list, Dan Kane reports.
That amendment drew fiery debate in the Senate, as opponents argued that those involuntarily committed either to inpatient or outpatient care, are by definition a potential danger to others. The amendment passed by a 30-19 vote.
The legislation sprang from the shootings at Virginia Tech where a lone gunman opened fire April 16, 2007, and killed 32 students and faculty before killing himself.
That student, Seung-Hui Cho, had been involuntarily committed to outpatient treatment by a court order. But he was not listed on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, so he could purchase handguns.
The legislation now moves to the House.
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