WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), vice-chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force on Thursday introduced the Safer Communities Act of 2015 (H.R. 2994), legislation aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence by keeping guns away from people who should not have them.

The legislation closes the gaps in current federal gun policy by clarifying and expanding existing federal prohibitors as it relates to mental health, substance abuse, history of violence, and other risk factors; provides states with the tools needed to strengthen and enforce gun violence prevention laws; provides resources for mental health crisis intervention services; and improves records reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

“This bill puts policies in place that will help keep guns away from those we all agree shouldn’t have them,” said Thompson. “While those suffering from mental illness are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crimes, we must recognize that improving our mental health system, and keeping firearms from those with other risk factors such as a history of substance abuse disorders and violence, goes hand-in-hand with reducing and preventing gun violence. By improving intervention services, boosting evidence-based research, and giving our law enforcement officers more tools to get guns out of dangerous hands, we can make our country safer and get people the help they need, while also respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”

“This bill includes an array of measures to address the unfortunate and too often lethal link between mental illness and firearms deaths” said Blumenthal. “By simultaneously improving mental health care and keeping guns out of the hands of those who would use them to harm themselves or others, this legislation takes an holistic approach to this serious issue. By expanding existing federal prohibitors on risk factors including mental health, substance abuse and history of violence, this bill gives states the tools they need to strengthen and enforce gun violence prevention laws and make our communities safer.”

“The Safer Communities Act is a common sense proposal reducing the likelihood of individuals suffering from mental illness the ability to access firearms,” said Perlmutter. “My focus is to do what we can to prevent future tragedies in our communities and schools. It’s important to keep guns away from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others and instead provide them with the mental health tools and services they need.  This is one of many steps we can take to keep our communities safe and make gun violence less easy, less frequent and less deadly.”

The Safer Communities Act of 2015 clarifies and expands existing federal prohibitors to help keep guns away from those who are determined to pose a danger to themselves or others.

Specifically, the legislation prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by individuals subject to involuntary outpatient commitment if a court finds they pose a significant and dangerous threat to themselves or others. Current federal law has been interpreted to apply only to inpatient commitments.

Recognizing that states play an important role in preventing gun violence and ensuring safe communities, the legislation provides states with the tools needed to strengthen and enforce gun violence prevention laws.

Specifically, it further supports federal and state partnerships by providing grants to states to strengthen gun violence prevention laws that prohibit individuals with certain risk factors such as a history of dangerous mental illness, substance abuse, and violence from possessing firearms.

For example, states could:

· Create laws that enable law enforcement to petition for a warrant to temporarily remove firearms when there is probable cause to believe that an individual poses an imminent risk of harm to self or others. The process by which a warrant is obtained and a gun is removed must be consistent with due process; and

· Create laws that temporarily prohibit the purchase and possession of a gun after an involuntary hospitalization on an emergency basis due to serious mental illness;

The legislation also requires the FBI to expand its current alert system so that state and local law enforcement can pursue cases where prohibited persons try to purchase guns – particularly those prohibited due to serious mental illness.

Thompson, Blumenthal and Perlmutter’s bill also provides resources for mental health crisis intervention services, boosts mental health research, enhances information sharing and research on gun violence, and improves the submission of mental health records into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the database used to determine whether or not a prospective buyer is eligible to buy a firearm.

The bill changes the outdated and stigmatizing “mental defective” terminology currently used in federal firearms statute and replaces it with “ineligible due to disqualifying mental status.”

Finally, Safer Communities Act of 2015 establishes a minimum restoration standard, ensuring a fair restoration process of firearm ownership rights that balances public safety with individuals’ rights.

One year after an individual’s involuntary commitment ends, they may petition the court to have their rights restored.

The application must be accompanied by a clinical opinion of a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed mental health professional.

After considering a variety of factors, the judge would determine if restoring gun ownership rights is compatible with the public interest.

Thompson’s task force included making improvements to our mental health system in their policy principles release in February 2013.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Pavement repairs from Main Street in Kelseyville to the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from about 2.0 miles south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Wednesday morning. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway construction from Casteel Lane to Reynolds Highway will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs just south of the Jitney Gulch Bridge on Tuesday, July 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 128

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Wendling Street to Philo School Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Roadway repairs from the Shearing Creek Bridge to the Maple Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.
 
The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Free movies in the Middletown Square Park are finally a reality due to the tenacity of Marlene Elder, an active member of Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH), and the generosity of the Middletown community, Merchants and Hardester’s Markets.

The first movie, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very, Bad Day,” will be shown at dusk on Saturday, July 11. The Boy Scouts will have a fundraising concession stand.

The plan is to have two more movie dates this season: Aug. 8 and Sept. 12.

Due to unknown variables such as community participation and the wide range of quality and price for the equipment, donations are continuing to be collected at all three Hardester’s Markets located in Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake.

A donation can be done in one of two ways: 1) Round up to the next dollar on purchases; or 2) give an amount of your choosing at any of the Hardester’s Markets’ checkout stands.

The hope is that the equipment purchased to begin the free summer movie program in the park can be upgraded as needed.

Hardester’s has paid in advance for the movie equipment, and pledged to make up any short fall from community donations.

There also are licensing fees that range from $150 to $375 depending on the movie shown and businesses or individuals that would like to sponsor movie nights may do so.

Hardester’s Markets have graciously agreed to pay the licensing fees for movie nights if a movie night is not covered.

The July 11th movie is being hosted by MAMA members Star Gardens and Munchies & Music.

MAMA hosts are still needed for the August and September movies. Hosting requires picking the movie, which needs to be “G” or “PG” rated, and set up and take down of the equipment.

No alcohol will be allowed at this event as the goal is to have a community family event and children of all ages will be present.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club's July meeting is featuring the Middletown 4-H Club.

Lunch will be served on Wednesday, July 15, at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. The program will end promptly at 1 p.m.

This month's speakers and servers are members of the Middletown 4-H Club under the direction of Middletown High School teacher and "get 'er done" gal, Karen Jones.

Middletown 4-H is the largest 4-H club in Lake County, hosting more than 90 members.

The club concentrates on engaging local members with leadership activities as well as promoting and helping with local community service activities. 

One of their biggest activities is the Lake County Fair because of the leadership benefits it promotes.

The local club members will share their love of the fair and their animals. Public speaking is part of being a leader.

Join the club as it supports these youth who are working to improve themselves and their world.

For only $5 per person, enjoy ham and spinach quiche, broccoli and salad.

Reservations are required. Please call 707-987-3113 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make a reservation or for more information.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Public Works said work on a bridge replacement on Ackley Road will begin on Monday, July 13.

The bridge is 500 feet north of Matthews Road.

Traffic control will be in effect, with delays expected.

Beginning on Monday, July 20, and continuing through Oct. 30, Ackley Road at Ackley Road bridge will be closed to all traffic – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – in order to replace the bridge.

Signage will be in place directing through traffic to use alternate routes.

For more information, call Lake County Public Works at 707-263-2341.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – At the Monday, Aug. 10, meeting of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club, Marie Powell will give a presentation on succulents.

Powell will discuss different varieties, propagation, and how and where to plant them in the ground and in pots around your home.

She will give a demonstration on how to make containers for succulents using Portland cement and peat moss.

Meetings of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club are free and open to the public on the second Monday of each month.

They are held in the HVL Association administration building's activity room, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

A social gathering with refreshments begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a business meeting and program at 10 a.m.

For further information, contact Cheryl Crawford at 707-987-8254 or e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .