NY Lawmaker to investigate mental-health based gun seizure under NY SAFE Act – updated 4/13/13 – 9AM

UPDATED 9AM, 4/13/13

State Assemblyman Ray Walter says when he saw the news coverage of David Lewis’ case, he knew immediately something was “seriously wrong.” Walter wants some answers, when he meets face-to-face with the State Police Superintendent in Albany next Tuesday.

…Lewis was forced to turn in his seven handguns and stripped of his pistol permit.  After State Police in Albany identified him – instead of a different David Lewis in another county – as being too mentally ill to own them…

“What’s supposed to happen, according to the NY SAFE Act, is this: When a mental health professional deems someone a threat to himself or others, she reports that to her supervisor.

Definition of ‘mental health professional’ ?

Definition of ‘threat’ ?

The supervisor notifies the county health commissioner, who sends only non-clinical information – such as the person’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number – to State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

They are supposed to check that information against their records. If the person has a gun permit, police get back in touch with the county.

Walter said, “The County Clerk then has no discretion, and must either revoke or suspend the pistol permit for the individual that been notified of. There’s no gray area... via Lawmaker to investigate gun seizure | WIVB.com.

Continuing on this disturbing story, this was posted at Pakalert Press (click here for full post there)

NY Gun Confiscation Underway – Citizens Told to Turn in Pistol Owner ID & Firearms

“…John Doe, an upstanding professional with no outstanding criminal convictions and no history of violent action received a letter from the Pistol Permit Department informing him that his license was immediately revoked upon information that he was seeing a therapist for anxiety and had been prescribed an anxiety drug. He was never suicidal, never violent, and has no criminal history. The New York State Department of Health is apparently conducting a search of medical records to determine who is being treated for anxiety drugs and using this as a basis for handgun license revocation.

Those are the facts. Nothing more, nothing less…

via NY Gun Confiscation Underway – Citizens Told to Turn in Pistol Owner ID & Firearms.