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Update To Extreme Risk Protection Orders Could Result In More Gun Confiscations

nationalinterest.org

A bill in the Washington state House would modify extreme risk protection orders that allow police to confiscate firearms from people considered to be a threat.

Currently, judges have a checklist of things that can lead to someone having their guns taken away, including acts of violence or violation of a protection order. 

Senate Bill 5745 would add to that list any threat of harm to a person because of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) says the change was prompted by recent acts of violence committed nationwide by people who showed warning signs that they were at risk of harming others.

“We know, for example, the man that attacked the church in South Carolina in Charleston showed extreme racism in advance of his violent act, and across the country in 2018 alone, 26 trans women were killed, and already one in 2019,” he said.

The new bill is intended to supplement Initiative 1491, approved by voters in 2016, that created a process of judicial review to confiscate weapons from dangerous individuals.

Testifying in favor in the Senate Law and Justice Committee Tuesday, Seattle resident Sharlene Kahn, who is Jewish, cited the slaying of worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, as well as FBI statistics that indicated in 2017 that Washington state had the third  highest number of hate crimes on a per capita basis.

“Each time I attend synagogue, I must pass an armed guard at the door. It reminds me of the potential for another hate crime to occur,” Kahn said.

Speaking in opposition to the bill was Keeley Hopkins of the National Rifle Association, who said the bill would take away someone’s Second Amendment rights through third party accusations.

“Hearings for these orders are ex parte, meaning the respondent is not present to challenge their accuser or defend against allegations made against them,” said the NRA spokeswoman.

Hopkins added that she believes the language of the bill is vague and has no standard as to what makes a threat credible.

The bill was approved by the Law and Justice Committee on Thursday.

Steve was part of the Spokane Public Radio family for many years before he came on air in 1999. His wife, Laurie, produced Radio Ethiopia in the late 1980s through the '90s, and Steve used to “lurk in the shadowy world” of Weekend SPR. Steve has done various on air shifts at the station, including nearly 15 years as the local Morning Edition host. Currently, he is the voice of local weather and news during All Things Considerd, writing, editing, producing and/or delivering newscasts and features for both KPBX and KSFC. Aside from SPR, Steve ,who lives in the country, enjoys gardening, chickens, playing and listening to music, astronomy, photography, sports cars and camping.