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The measure drew criticism from groups advocating stricter controls over firearms, who said it doesn't go far enough and singled out provisions they said would make it easier for some unstable people to obtain deadly weapons. But it was backed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which advocates for mentally ill people, and groups representing police organizations, correctional workers and social workers, which combined with NRA support could broaden its appeal. (8/5)

The Mental Health and Safe Communities Act introduced Wednesday by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) does not include even the modest expansion to the national background check system that was at the center of the last major gun control push, which was rejected by the Senate in 2013 amid NRA opposition. ... But the bill would clarify the types of mental health records required to be forwarded to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System -- an issue raised in the recent shooting in Lafayette, La. -- and encourage states to send more information to the database by creating a stick-and-carrot compliance system. It would also encourage "best practices" for responding to mental health crises, including the use of specially trained response teams by federal and local law enforcement agencies. (DeBonis, 8/5)

The bill would clarify which mental health records states are asked to send to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and would encourage state and local governments to provide more records to the national database. It would create incentives for states to establish new screening and treatment methods and crisis response strategies. To protect the due process rights of gun owners, Mr. Cornyn said, the bill would outline the process by which judges can block someone from purchasing a gun. (Stanley-Becker, 8/5)