Seegrist 's actions helped spur the state government to form a legislative task force , in order to address better ways to care for the mentally ill in the community . Seegrist 's mother also urged legislators to make changes to the state mental health laws . The existence or nature of changes made by the task force is unknown . In response to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting , Seegrist 's mother Ruth told The Philly Post : At the time of the shootings , gun buyers were required to sign a paper application declaring they had no record of being in a mental institution . Sylvia Seegrist lied on the application and purchased a .22 semi-automatic rifle for $ 107.00 . In 1998 , the state of Pennsylvania enacted the Pennsylvania Instant Check System or PICS , enabling licensed gun dealers to conduct a background check using a phone
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
Sylvia Seegrist