Senators Sally Harrell and Elena Parent are leading the introduction of "Donna's Law," a bill aimed at addressing gun violence in Georgia. The bill proposes the creation of a voluntary "no sell" list for firearms, allowing individuals with suicidal thoughts to prevent themselves from purchasing guns by registering in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), according to a release from the Georgia State Senate Press Office.
The bill would allow Georgians to add their names to the NICS list through two methods: either by a healthcare professional or on their own through an oath in a probate court. Once the application is submitted, individuals would be added to the NICS list within 24 hours. Removal from the list cannot happen for at least seven days to avoid quick reversals.
Given the high rates of firearm-related suicides in Georgia, Senate Bill 224 aims to offer a way to prevent impulsive actions during times of distress. "This is an important way we can support and protect people suffering from mental illness. Sadly, as I was working on this bill, a friend of my family took her life with a firearm," Harrell said in the same release. Parent also noted, "The last few years, we’ve been very focused on finding better solutions to help people with mental health issues. Firearms are used in over half of suicides in Georgia. With firearms, there are very few second chances — about 85% of gun suicide attempts result in death."
The bill is named in memory of Donna Nathan, who struggled with bipolar disorder and took her life using a gun she purchased despite seeking psychiatric care.
