(a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in fulfilling his obligations under sections 29-28 to 29-38, inclusive, and § 53-202d, shall verify that any person who, on or after October 1, 1998, applies for or seeks renewal of a permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver, a permit to carry a pistol or revolver, an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver or a certificate of possession for an assault weapon, or who, on or after July 1, 2013, applies for or seeks renewal of a long gun eligibility certificate, has not been confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in § 17a-495, within the preceding sixty months by order of a probate court or has not been voluntarily admitted to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in § 17a-495, within the preceding six months for care and treatment of a psychiatric disability and not solely for being an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as those terms are defined in § 17a-680, by making an inquiry to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in such a manner so as to only receive a report on the commitment or admission status of the person with respect to whom the inquiry is made including identifying information in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of § 17a-500.

(b) If the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection determines pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that a person has been confined in a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in § 17a-495, within the preceding sixty months by order of a probate court or has been voluntarily admitted to a hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities, as defined in § 17a-495, within the preceding six months for care and treatment of a psychiatric disability and not solely for being an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as those terms are defined in § 17a-680, said commissioner shall report the status of such person’s application for or renewal of a permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver, a permit to carry a pistol or revolver, an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver, a certificate of possession for an assault weapon or a long gun eligibility certificate to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the purpose of fulfilling his responsibilities under subsection (c) of § 17a-500.