After the Virginia Tech shooting, there was a consensus to require better reporting of mental health to the NICS system. Congress passed the NICS Improvement Amendment Act of 2007. According to Mayors Against Illegal Guns, many states have made little or no progess because Congress failed to follow through with funding. Only 5.3% of the authorized amount from Fiscal Year 2009 through Fiscal Year 2011 has been granted.
There is a need for public conversation about firearms. Mayors Against Illegal Guns has pointed out where, at least, one of our laws in place has not been enforced properly. We need to enforce laws in place before exercising new laws.
The NRA agreed that we should be focusing on mental health to frame our discussion. Here's our chance to work together as a country.