COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Parents from a Charleston school that authorities say was the scene of a failed shooting say a new proposal could keep South Carolina safer.
Ashley Hall School parents told a Senate panel Wednesday that they support a proposal to give federal authorities information about people who have been determined to have mental health problems for use in gun purchase background checks.
It's already illegal to sell guns to people with known mental illness. But South Carolina does not share mental health information with federal authorities.
Supporters say they were inspired to take action after Alice Boland's arrest for allegedly buying a handgun and trying to fire it at Ashley Hall staff members. In 2005, Boland pleaded not guilty by reason of mental incompetence to threatening to kill President Bush.
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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
