Gun violence remains a pressing issue, with existing background checks often failing to account for psychological risk factors like untreated mental illness or impulsive aggression. A potential solution could involve requiring mental health evaluations for firearm purchases to close this gap, potentially reducing preventable harm.

A New Approach to Firearm Safety

One way to address this could be implementing a system where prospective gun buyers obtain approval from a licensed psychologist before purchasing a firearm. The evaluation might assess risk factors such as history of violence, suicidal ideation, and emotional stability, while also verifying the buyer's intent for ownership (e.g., self-defense vs. concerning motives). Approved evaluations could be valid for a set period (1–5 years) and integrated with existing background checks to minimize redundancy.

Balancing Rights and Safety

Key stakeholders could include:

• The public: May benefit from reduced gun violence in public and private spaces.
• At-risk individuals: Could be identified early and referred to mental health services.
• Psychologists: Might gain a new role in public safety but would need standardized training to avoid bias.

To encourage participation, incentives like faster approvals for low-risk buyers or discounts on firearm safety training could offset concerns about added cost or delays.

Implementation Strategies

Starting with a voluntary pilot program in select regions could test feasibility, potentially using a brief, evidence-based assessment tool. Over time, a secure digital platform could streamline evaluations, integrating with existing background check systems. A phased rollout—beginning with high-risk groups like young first-time buyers—might help ease adoption.

While challenges like privacy and bias would need addressing, the idea offers a proactive complement to reactive measures like extreme risk protection orders. If successful, it could serve as a model for reducing gun violence while respecting responsible ownership.