Imperial Valley Press

California may expand gun violence restrainin­g order law

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers took steps Monday to let school employees ask judges to temporaril­y strip gun rights from potentiall­y dangerous people in the wake of a mass school shooting in Texas.

California is already one of a handful of states that allow immediate family members and law enforcemen­t officials to request gun violence restrainin­g orders against people who show warning signs of violence. Assemblyma­n Phil Ting’s bill, AB2888, would extend that ability to more people, including school employees and co-workers.

Democratic lawmakers supporting the bill invoked the Friday shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas that killed 10.

“I ask that we don’t just send thoughts and prayers, that we actually send some action to students and families who really are scratching their heads and wondering what we can do to stem the violence at our schools,” Ting said.

The San Francisco Democrat also mentioned the shooting earlier this year at a high school in Parkland, Florida. If school officials, family members or police could have requested a restrainin­g order against the Parkland shooter, who had demonstrat­ed violent warning signs, he might not have been able to legally possess a firearm.

“We have reached a crisis that must be addressed,” said Assemblywo­man Eloise Gomez Reyes, a Grand Terrace Democrat and one of the bill’s co-authors. “No child should have to be worried that when they go to school in the morning that they are entering a war zone.”

If a judge issues the restrainin­g order, the gun owner would have to surrender their guns and ammunition to law enforcemen­t.

Assemblywo­man Melissa Melendez said she doesn’t think the bill gives gun owners enough opportunit­y to defend themselves. She said she otherwise might have supported the bill.

“I don’t think there’s a person in this room who doesn’t want to do something,” the Lake Elsinore Republican said. “But whenever anybody says, ‘We have to do something,’ that usually means they don’t know what to do.”

Assemblyma­n James Gallagher, a Yuba City Republican, said he believes restrainin­g orders can be effective, but law enforcemen­t isn’t doing enough to enforce them.

 ??  ?? In this June 13 file photo, Assemblyma­n Phil Ting, D-San Francisco (right) discusses the state budget next to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, in Sacramento. AP PhoTo/RIch PedRoncell­I,FIle
In this June 13 file photo, Assemblyma­n Phil Ting, D-San Francisco (right) discusses the state budget next to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, in Sacramento. AP PhoTo/RIch PedRoncell­I,FIle

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