Guns and the Law

Abstract

This chapter provides medical and mental health professionals with essential information related to the intersection of guns and the law. The Second Amendment is reviewed, along with landmark rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States. Federal and state mental health–related prohibitions are addressed as well as those associated with domestic violence, including but certainly not limited to domestic violence–related protective (restraining) orders. “Red flag” laws are then addressed, which are more formally referred to as gun violence restraining orders and extreme risk protection orders, followed by a review of gun rights restoration and relief from disability mechanisms at the federal and state levels. The chapter concludes with an overview of reporting duties of medical and mental health professionals in the overarching risk context as well as particularly relevant gun ownership and safety laws (i.e., magazine capacity, storage, transportation, and right to carry).