California Legislature Passes Gun Violence Restraining Order, Gov. Brown Signature Needed
Sacramento, Calif. – California’s state legislature passed the “Gun Violence Restraining Order (AB 1014),” legislation that would allow family members or law enforcement to petition a court to remove firearms from someone temporarily if they believe there is a risk of injury or death. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Brown for his signature. This legislation has been a priority for the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign and is supported by a large and diverse list of supporters including the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, the California State Sheriffs Association, Disability Rights California, the City of Los Angeles, Attorney General Kamala Harris and the California Psychiatric Association. A similar law is in place in Connecticut and Indiana.
The legislation was introduced in the wake of the attention after the Isla Visa shooting in May. Before the Isla Vista shooting, the parents of the shooter contacted law enforcement because they felt their son posed a serious risk to himself. Law enforcement could not act because he didn't meet the criteria for any further intervention. Current state law allows police intervention if a subject meets the criteria for an involuntary civil commitment to mental health treatment.
A “Gun Violence Restraining Order” would allow families in similar situations to seek a court order to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns. The issue would later go to a noticed hearing where future access to firearms would be ruled on.
“While we hope this restraining order would rarely be necessary, when a family member shows certain warning signs of a potential for violence, this legislation will prevent shootings before they happen and save lives,” said Nick and Amanda Wilcox, legislative co-chairs of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “The passage of the ‘Gun Violence Restraining Order’ legislation gives families and law enforcement a tool to reduce the risk of mass shootings and gun violence both in the home and on our streets. With overwhelming support in both chambers, Governor Brown needs to sign the bill into law now.”
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