The Obama administration put forth a regulatory rule that instructed the Social Security Administration to alert the FBI when it uncovered information concerning certain mentally ill people — specifically those unfit to manage their own mental disability.
The FBI was then supposed to add that information to the gun purchase background check database. This was a small step toward limiting the ability of the mentally ill to pass the FBI background check for gun purchases.
On Feb. 28, 2017, Donald Trump signed into law (one sponsored by Chuck Grassley) legislation that negated this rule — in spite of the fact that both Grassley and Trump have frequently spoken about the need to limit the ability of those with mental problems to obtain guns.
The Obama rule was not perfect but it was a step in the right direction. The reaction by Grassley and Trump was a disgrace.
Paul B. Choberka, Ogden
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible