News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tax proposal on guns, ammunitions for mental health treatment

A proposal in the Florida Senate calls for a fee on gun dealers that would go to pay for mental health care in the state.

According to a News Service of Florida, Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D-District 19) proposed a tax on dealers' sale of guns and ammunition Wednesday. Four percent of sales would be taxed.

The bill would require the money be spent on direct mental health treatment, public awareness on mental health issues, crisis intervention training for law enforcement and other issues aimed at reducing violence by people with mental illness.

Some of the money would also go toward training teachers to recognize signs of mental illness in students.

Sarah Brand wrote this story online.

Lauren is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.