LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky lawmaker wants to create a way for at-risk adults to voluntarily block themselves from buying guns.

Rep. Lisa Willner (D, Louisville), who is also a licensed psychologist, plans to file a bill that would create the “Kentucky Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List.”

Under the legislation, after someone signs up to be placed on the list, they could not legally purchase a gun and their status would be updated in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. 

“People in the community are very concerned about gun violence, about gun fatalities, and I think what a lot of folks do not realize is that well over half of gun deaths in Kentucky and gun deaths across the country are suicides rather than homicides,” said Willner. 

Under the proposal, anyone who signs up for the list can also have themselves removed from the list 21 days after they send a removal request. 

“This is not taking away anyone’s rights. It’s not interfering with the Second Amendment in any way,” Willner explained. “This is an individual freedom that we’re giving to people to be able to protect themselves in this way.”

Licensed psychologist Katie McBride said the list would be a great tool to help slow things down when someone expresses suicidal thoughts. 

“I think it’s wonderful because any time we can delay that immediate impulse, you’re going to buy time for people to connect up with those supports they need,” she said. 

Willner filed a similar bill during the last legislative session, but it did not move forward. She’s confident she can find bipartisan support for the legislation next year.  

If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can dial 988 to reach the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.