Aa
California to Allow Families to Seek Gun Seizures From Those Posing Danger
California will become the first state to allow family members to ask a judge to temporarily seize guns from someone who is suspected of posing an immediate danger.
Under the legislation, signed Tuesday by California's Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, family members or law-enforcement officers can petition to remove firearms from an individual.
Authorities in Connecticut, Indiana and Texas can ask a judge to let them seize guns from people they deem to be dangerous. The California law extends the provision to relatives. The law is effective Jan. 1.
The legislation was introduced after the deadly rampage in Isla Vista, Calif., in May in which 22-year-old Elliot Rodger shot and stabbed six people to death around the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in an interview the law would help prevent similar situations. Mr. Rodger's mother, after seeing disturbing videos her son posted online, alerted his therapist, who in turn alerted authorities with concerns about the young man. Police visited him, but determined he wasn't a danger. Mr. Rodger was in the middle of planning his deadly attack at the time of their visit. A few weeks afterward, he went on his rampage, and then apparently killed himself.
"What this bill does is provide an effective and needed tool that she could've used or law enforcement could've used to remove weapons from Elliot or others who are threatening to commit acts of violence," Ms. Skinner said.
Under the law, judges can grant restraining orders that prevent these individuals from temporarily possessing or buying guns.
The National Rifle Association had urged lawmakers to vote against the bill, saying that the legislation could easily be abused.
"This bill's low evidentiary standard and lack of a mechanism for individuals to present their own defense before being deprived of their constitutional rights fail to meet American standards for due process of law," the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action said earlier this year on its website.
A spokesman for Mr. Brown said the law "gives families an important tool to help loved ones who may be a danger to themselves or others—and could help save lives."
http://online.wsj.com/articles/california-to-allow-families-to-seek-gun-seizures-from-those-posing-danger-1412111765
Under the legislation, signed Tuesday by California's Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, family members or law-enforcement officers can petition to remove firearms from an individual.
Authorities in Connecticut, Indiana and Texas can ask a judge to let them seize guns from people they deem to be dangerous. The California law extends the provision to relatives. The law is effective Jan. 1.
The legislation was introduced after the deadly rampage in Isla Vista, Calif., in May in which 22-year-old Elliot Rodger shot and stabbed six people to death around the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in an interview the law would help prevent similar situations. Mr. Rodger's mother, after seeing disturbing videos her son posted online, alerted his therapist, who in turn alerted authorities with concerns about the young man. Police visited him, but determined he wasn't a danger. Mr. Rodger was in the middle of planning his deadly attack at the time of their visit. A few weeks afterward, he went on his rampage, and then apparently killed himself.
"What this bill does is provide an effective and needed tool that she could've used or law enforcement could've used to remove weapons from Elliot or others who are threatening to commit acts of violence," Ms. Skinner said.
Under the law, judges can grant restraining orders that prevent these individuals from temporarily possessing or buying guns.
The National Rifle Association had urged lawmakers to vote against the bill, saying that the legislation could easily be abused.
"This bill's low evidentiary standard and lack of a mechanism for individuals to present their own defense before being deprived of their constitutional rights fail to meet American standards for due process of law," the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action said earlier this year on its website.
A spokesman for Mr. Brown said the law "gives families an important tool to help loved ones who may be a danger to themselves or others—and could help save lives."
http://online.wsj.com/articles/california-to-allow-families-to-seek-gun-seizures-from-those-posing-danger-1412111765
Very insightful.
So they can take away guns but not knives? Guess a knife is not as deadly as a gun. Not sure if you ask family members of those who have recently been beheaded would agree.
You must join this user group in order to participate in this discussion.
You are reading content posted in the Current Events . . . Group
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
