Heretofore reluctant Ducey might finally be the guy to lead on gun safety reforms

Gov. Doug Ducey wants the Legislature to adopt a law that would allow a judge to take guns away from people who are violent or mentally ill.

He wants the Arizona Legislature to do this.

The Legislature that has consistently refused to hear any bills aimed at tightening gun laws — including 10 introduced by Democrats this year. (One of which would do precisely what Ducey is apparently proposing.)

The Legislature that passed a law protecting guns a few years ago after learning that Tucson was destroying confiscated weapons to prevent them from returning to the streets.

The Legislature that in wake of the 2011 Tucson massacre that left six people dead and 13 injured, including a member of Congress, took strong decisive action: Our leaders created an official state gun.

Now, several dozen massacres later, Ducey says parents and police should be able to ask a judge to intervene when a person has shown signs that he (or she)

poses a danger to others.

“If we can prevent it and use the power of the office and the law . ... That’s what we’re going to do and I intend to do it,” Ducey said on KTAR on Monday. “I think we need to act in those situations.”

Certainly, six people might still be around in Tucson had somebody sounded the alarm about Jared Loughner. And another 17 people at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School might still be alive.

But sensibility and logic rarely enter the equation when it comes to gun laws. The gun lobby screams Second Amendment and slippery slope, and Republican leaders jump in response and do their usual.

Nothing, that is.

Now comes Ducey, apparently working on a plan to tighten gun laws. While he hasn’t released specifics, Ducey told reporters that he is “taking a look at background checks” and that he’s focused on school safety.

This, from the governor who in 2016 signed a bill preventing cities from requiring background checks for personto-person sales when gun shows are held on their turf.

This, from the governor who that same year signed a bill forbidding colleges and universities from banning guns on the streets and sidewalks that run through campus.

“Today, I was glad to sign Senate Bill 1266 and House Bill 2338 — two pieces of legislation that protect our Second Amendment rights,” Ducey said at the time. “I have signed several other firearms bills, with a commitment to safeguarding our liberties relating to firearms.”

But that was then and this, apparently, is now, dozens of dead children later: “Our focus is on school safety and how we make our schools safer,” Ducey told reporters on Monday. “I’m looking to keep all the guns out of the hands of the individuals that should not have them.”

Well, cue the hallelujahs. I hope he means it and even more, that he’s got the political heft to accomplish it.

But you’ll forgive me if I withhold the amens for now.

Because it’ll take nothing short of a miracle to get this Legislature to act.