U.S. eyes restraining orders to curb attacks
Guns could be confiscated from people deemed a risk
WASHINGTON— The Trump administration is considering using restraining orders to take guns away from people considered dangerous, two people familiar with the matter said.
Under extreme risk protection orders, firearms can be confiscated from people found to be at risk.
The administration is studying an Indiana version of such a law, and is also considering other measures, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to begin refining his proposals for combating school violence on Saturday, tweeting that arming teachers as a deterrent against such often deadly violence — an idea he championed in recent days — is “Up to States.”
“Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them. Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again — a big & very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States,” Trump tweeted.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the president’s tweet.
The White House has yet to offer a complete plan to address school violence amid the public outcry sparked by the Florida shooting, including addressing who would bear the financial cost.
At the White House Thursday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi described to Trump similar efforts in her state to allow law enforcement agencies to seize firearms from people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. “Good,” Trump responded. At a Florida town hall on CNN Wednesday, Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he supported restraining orders.
Some gun rights groups have embraced the idea because it would not impose new regulations on firearms themselves.
California, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon and Washington have laws that allow authorities to temporarily take weapons away from people believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Anyone subject to such an order would not be allowed to buy or otherwise obtain more guns while the order was in effect. The Trump administration is looking at encouraging states to enact the legislation, possibly by providing grants as a reward to states that adopt the idea, one of the people said.
Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said Thursday that the White House was looking at such laws.
The proposal came as the White House has been casting about for a response to widespread demands for action, including new gun laws, after the Feb. 14 shootings in a Parkland, Fla., high school in which 17 people died.