The Impact of New York SAFE Act Reporting on Gun Owners’ Health Care Decisions

Introduction: Little is understood about the impact of mental health reporting laws on mental health care seeking by gun owners. Methods: An anonymous online survey among gun owners, United States Census Bureau data, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data, New York State (NYS) Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) data, and an estimate of gun ownership were utilized to roll up results to a NYS population level. Results: Results show that among gun owners and because of the New York Secure Ammunitions and Firearms Enforcement Act (NY SAFE Act) mental health reporting, 93.3% have less trust or do not trust in mental health providers and 94.4% are less likely to seek mental health care if they need it. As a result of this law approximately 243 NYS gun owners are less likely to seek mental health care if needed for every individual reported. The NY SAFE Act mental health reporting is capturing approximately 1.5% of its target population. Conclusion: It is evident that mental health reporting has a negative impact on gun owners’ health care decisions and is not effective in capturing its target population. Ending this reporting and its structural stigma may improve mental health care seeking