in the same sentence but how often does that happen? Well, maybe a lot now that my hero, Gov Jerry Brown, has signed a bill that allows family members or law enforcement to ask a judge to seize guns from someone who is suspected of posing an immediate danger to himself or others.
Now that’s what I call leadership. (Yeah, I'm talking to you, Barry). This law has its genesis in the mass shooting last May when a pathetic 22 year old fatally shot 3 people on a college campus. Usually we just wring hands at these tragedies and say how awful it is but California decided to take immediate action.
The standard for “21 day emergency confiscation” is remarkably low. All it takes is a signed affidavit under oath from a family member or LE alleging that the suspect “poses a significant danger, in the near future, of personal injury to himself… or another by …possessing…. a firearm” and that less restrictive alternatives –other than taking his guns - will not work.
How do you know whether your son or brother poses a significant danger to shoot himself or others? Well, you can consider evidence that he threatened to use his gun; that he brandished the gun unlawfully in public, and even that he bought guns in the last 6 months.
All this is done ex parte – i.e, the guy with the gun is not consulted -(I love this). If the judge issues the order, the police show up at your door and confiscate your guns.
Twenty days later there is a hearing where the family member or LE has to prove the allegations by clear and convincing evidence – but if they do so, your guns can be taken for a year. The suspect, of course, can present evidence that he just needs all those guns for self defense.
Is the statute constitutional? Let’s not worry about that. The bottom line is that Minority Report is coming true- in California, based on a complaint by private citizens, you can lose your guns BEFORE you commit the crime