Remembering Bradley Haas: Calls for Gun Law Reform Continue One Year Later
One year after the tragic shooting at New Hampshire Hospital that claimed the life of security guard Bradley Haas, efforts to reform the state’s gun laws remain stalled. Haas, 63, was fatally shot by former patient John Madore, who had been prohibited from purchasing a firearm due to a past psychiatric commitment. The incident sparked a push for legislative changes, particularly to address gaps in background checks which allowed Madore to buy a gun.
Despite bipartisan support for a bill to include mental health commitments in the federal background check system, Republican lawmakers rejected the proposal in May. Rep. Terry Roy, who co-sponsored the bill, stated that he believes Haas would still be alive if such measures had been in place. Roy plans to reintroduce the bill in 2025, emphasizing the broad public consensus against allowing individuals with serious mental health issues to access firearms.
In the past year, while legislation extending death benefits to families of fallen security officers has passed, efforts to prevent individuals like Madore from obtaining guns have not seen success. New Hampshire, unlike many states, does not report mental health commitments to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is crucial for firearm purchases. Lawmakers have instead enacted measures that enhance gun rights, thereby complicating any prospects for meaningful reform.
Advocates, including NAMI New Hampshire, highlight the need for comprehensive discussions about gun safety and mental health, urging against stigmatization. As debates on gun policy resurface, the struggle for consensus on effective reforms continues in a state where Second Amendment rights are highly valued. As the anniversary of the shooting passes, the call for serious reform remains urgent.
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