Massachusetts bill would take guns away from those ‘at risk’

By Andrew Shepperson

Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed a bill that would let authorities take guns way from those deemed a threat to themselves or others.
The Associated Press reported the proposal, H.3081, would allow family members and law enforcement officers to request a judge to issue an “extreme risk protective order” against people experiencing personal crises that may put themselves or others at risk.
Once the protective order has been imposed, police could then take away the individual’s firearms. The initial order would last up to 10 days, at which point the individual could petition the court to remove the order. The judge would then decide to either remove the order or extend it for up to one year.
Supporters, such as Democrat Rep. David Linsky, the bill’s sponsor, say the proposal aims to help people, including veterans, who are at risk of suicide or hurting others.
Linksy said he knew of several cases in which family members sought to have guns taken away from relatives suffering from mental health issues, only to have police inform them they did not have the authority to do so.
“If someone is having a temporary mental health problem but is a firearms owner, this will be a mechanism for mental health providers to temporarily get

Source: Guns.com