ComPol Weighs in on Psych Evaluation for Gun License Holders

Should a person applying for a gun license undergo a psychiatric evaluation before receiving approval? That’s one of the questions that reporters asked Commissioner of Police Chester Williams today. He is no longer the authority that issues gun licenses, that responsibility has been transferred to an entire board. But he says when it was his responsibility many gun license were revoked following complaints of misuse and violence. ComPol Williams says he is of the view that if a gun license holder acts irresponsibly that person’s soundness to carry a firearm should be brought into question.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I would agree with that and I listened to the statement issued by the mental health organization and I have to agree with them. When I was the licensing authority if it is that we have any complaint of a license firearm holder, being involved in any domestic issue or act of violence what I would normally direct the police to do is to retrieve the firearm from that license holder. We would keep the weapon and then my office would then write the license holder and ask him or her to give reasons why in light of the allegation his or her license should not be revoked. And, I can tell you that we revoked many license. There are some instance where persons are charged with crime of violence or domestic issues and then the complainant or victim would withdrew the matter against them. we would still proceed in writing them letter and ask them to show cause why in light of the allegations their license should not be revoked, and we did many revocations on that basis.”

 

Reporter

“What is your opinion on a red flag law?”

 

Chester Williams

“That is certainly good, but again, I wouldn’t want to make it a red flag, but if you do nonsense, it must be taken it way.”