Today, I'm proposing a new law here in Nassau County – one modeled on a successful one in Suffolk County – to keep guns out of the hands of people who are deemed mentally unfit to safely possess a firearm and who pose a risk to themselves and others.
Four years ago today, Long Island native Scott J. Beigel lost his life in the horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Scott was a hero that day, shielding his students as the attacker roamed the halls.
With the permission of Scott's mother, Linda, the bill I am proposing today will be known as The Scott J. Beigel Gun Violence Prevention Act.
The law would require the Nassau County Police Department to check the county pistol registry for names and addresses of individuals involuntarily taken for an emergency psychiatric evaluation – and would then direct the County to take necessary action to keep guns out of the hands of these individuals.
This won't stop all gun violence – but will prevent many tragedies in our community and will help to prevent tragedies brought on by perpetrators who may have otherwise fallen through the cracks.
When I go to Congress, I'll work with everything I've got to enact commonsense reforms that will reduce gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
Josh
