Proposal for Mental Health Evaluations for Gun Owners in Nebraska

Independent Republican Senator Pete Ricketts from Nebraska is advocating for owners of modern semi-automatic firearms to undergo mental health evaluations every five years as a requirement for renewing their gun registrations.

In July 2025, Dan Osborne, who lost to Republican Senator Deb Fischer in the 2024 election, plans to challenge Ricketts. Osborne is supported by Democrats, aiming primarily to defeat Ricketts. He proposed this measure during a roll call at City Hall in June.

Osborne has expressed support for gun registries, red flag laws, and the five-year “psychological evaluations” for owners of popular firearms. This stance, however, has drawn criticism. The National Rifle Association (NRA) called it a radical idea that could lead to government control over constitutional rights.

Osborne recounted a conversation where he asked someone if they owned specific types of assault rifles, to which the person confirmed. Osborne then asked whether they had an issue with undergoing mental health evaluations every five years. The person reportedly responded with no objections.

Pro-Second Amendment groups have voiced their opposition, with the NRA citing due process concerns surrounding the proposed “red flag” law. They issued a statement opposing Osborne’s suggestion.

William Sack, from the Second Amendment Foundation, argued that this law would face significant legal challenges, as historically, the nation hasn’t imposed such requirements on gun ownership. He emphasized that fundamental rights, including the right to bear arms, should not be contingent upon a burden of proof from the government.

Osborne has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding his proposal.