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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.
The bill passed unanimously on Tuesday. It requires state courts to submit to the national criminal background check system limited information only about people who are involuntarily committed for mental health treatment and are deemed a danger. Those who seek treatment on their own wouldn't be affected.
The legislation creates a board to consider appeals from anyone prevented from having a gun because of mental illness.
A task force studied the issue of mental illness and gun rights after the 2012 school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.
Democratic Rep. Deborah Ruggiero says the bill balances public safety with gun rights and patient privacy.
A Senate panel endorsed a companion bill Tuesday.
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