Massachusetts’ Latest Bill Aims to Address Those Deemed a ‘Threat’

By Beth Baumann

Members of the Massachusetts House are considering H.3081, which would remove guns from a person’s ownership if he or she is deemed a threat. Under H.3081, a family member, medical personnel or law enforcement officer could petition the court to invoke an “extreme risk protective order” against someone that is considered a threat. If a judge invokes the order, law enforcement would take possession of the person’s firearms for 10 days. Once the 10 days are up, the judge could end the order or extend it for up to one year.

“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 those guns out of their hands,” Democratic state Rep. David Linsky told the Associated Press.

According to gun rights activists, the legislation is misguided. Instead of focusing on the mental health aspect of the problem, legislators are focusing on the firearms aspect of the issue, which doesn’t solve anything long-term.

“We’re actually pretty concerned about the bill. I think it’s an extraordinarily dangerous bill in terms of civil rights and public safety. It’s a soundbite,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of the …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms