The Pennsylvania Instant Record Check System (PIRCS) (PICS) is a database that is used by the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase firearms in the state. The system contains a wealth of information about potential gun buyers, including criminal history records and mental health commitment records. In this blog post, we will explore the PIRCS system and how it gathers and maintains mental health commitment records.
The PIRCS system is an important tool for preventing individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them. The system contains a variety of records that are relevant to gun ownership, including criminal history records and mental health commitment records.
The mental health commitment records in particular are an important part of the PIRCS system, as they are used to identify individuals who have been adjudicated as mentally defective or have been committed to a mental institution. When a person is involuntarily committed to a mental institution in Pennsylvania, the institution is required to report this information to the PIRCS system. The report includes information about the individual’s name, date of birth, and the reason for the commitment. Additionally, the report may include information about the individual’s mental health history and any treatment that they received while in the institution.
Once the information is reported to the PIRCS system, it is maintained in the database and can be accessed by authorized users, such as law enforcement officials. This information is critical for preventing individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them, as individuals who have been adjudicated as mentally defective or have been committed to a mental institution are prohibited from owning firearms under federal and state law.
However, it is important to note that the PIRCS system is not perfect and has faced criticism over the years. One issue that has been raised is the potential for inaccurate or incomplete mental health commitment records to be included in the system. Some folks who were voluntarily committed have been inaccurately classified as involuntarily committed, for example. Records from ancient commitments from decades ago might be misinterpreted by those entering into the computer system. Additionally, some have raised concerns about the potential for the system to stigmatize individuals with mental health conditions and deter them from seeking treatment.
In conclusion, the Pennsylvania Instant Record Check System (PIRCS) is a critical tool for preventing individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them. The system gathers and maintains mental health commitment records, which are an important part of the background check process for gun purchases. While the system is far from perfect, it is a part of efforts to ensure that firearms are only sold to individuals who are legally allowed to own them.