Maria Boylan

Dear Chairman Roy & Members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, My name is Dr. Maria Boylan and I’m a family medicine physician. I am writing today on behalf of the New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicians in strong support of HB56 which will require a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers. Our board consists of a large group of family physicians with collective decades of experience in which we all have cared for individuals affected by firearm-related injuries and violence. We believe it is crucial to prioritize public safety and the well-being of our patients, especially in the context of mental health. The evidence is clear: background checks are a vital tool in preventing individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others from obtaining firearms. As physicians, we are acutely aware of the delicate interplay between mental health and gun violence. Patients who may be experiencing acute mental health crises, or those with a history of violence or severe mental illness, should not have access to firearms without appropriate checks. The ability to purchase a gun without any consideration of an individual’s criminal history or mental health status can result in immediate, irreversible harm. In addition, mandatory waiting periods can prevent impulsive acts. Many firearm-related deaths are the result of impulsive decisions made in a moment of crisis. Whether it’s suicide, domestic violence, or a fit of anger, the presence of a firearm during such emotional state can be a recipe for tragedy. And as a physician, I have seen the tragic outcomes of impulsive acts that might have been prevented with a brief cooling off period. I will share a story about a patient of mine who was just a young man, 18 years old, who was in his senior year of high school about to graduate. He was going through a difficult time and struggling with depression that came on suddenly after his girlfriend had broken up with him. Rather than reach out for help by talking to his family or coming to see me as his physician or going to the emergency room, he purchased a handgun. Within just hours of buying that gun he drove into the woods where he took his own life. He left behind a loving family and large group of friends. And because he was allowed to purchase a firearm in such a quick and easy manner, he acted on his impulse and died by suicide. I can’t help but think that if he had to wait just a few days, that he may have acted differently or sought out help. Suicide is the leading cause of firearm-related deaths in the United States, and firearms are amongst the most lethal means of suicide. As a physician, I have counseled numerous patients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or trauma and I have seen the devastation that can unfold when those individuals have easy access to firearms. From a public health perspective, reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths is a critical aspect of improving the overall well-being of our society. As physicians, our primary responsibility is to protect our patients’ health and safety. The statistics are sobering: firearms are among the top causes of death in the US and instituting background checks and waiting periods would be a step towards reducing this preventable health crisis. As family physicians, we strongly support measures that would introduce background checks and mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases. These policies are not only prudent in reducing the risk of harm from firearms but also align with our responsibility as a society to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent avoidable injuries and death. We urge you to take these measures seriously as they will save lives, prevent tragedies, and help to ensure that firearms are kept out of the hands of those who may use them in moments of crisis. Please vote Ought to Pass on HB56. Sincerely, Dr. Maria Boylan, DO Dr. Douglas Phelan, DO- President of NHAFP Board of the NH Academy of Family Physicians