Senator Skinner Introduces SB 1200 to Strengthen California Law to Keep Guns Away from Violent Individuals
Continuing her leadership in gun violence prevention, State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) has introduced SB 1200 to enhance California’s Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO), a law Skinner authored during her time in the Assembly.
“GVROs are a lifesaving tool to get guns out of the hands of those threatening violence to themselves or others,” said Skinner. “We know that GVROs can save lives, and by improving the process for obtaining these orders, everyone’s safety is increased.”
Senator Skinner authored AB 1014, the bill that established California’s GVRO, after the Isla Vista shooting in 2014. The law took effect in January 2016 and allows firearms to be taken away if there is credible evidence that the person presents a violent threat. Skinner’s law was the first in the U.S. to allow family members, roommates or others closest to the person at risk to petition for the order rather than relying solely on law enforcement. California has issued over 250 GVROs since the law was established. There are now five states: California, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon and Washington with similar laws, also known as “Extreme Risk Protection Orders,” on the books.
Establishing a Gun Violence Restraining Order at the federal level has been one of the three primary demands made by the Parkland students and their supporters who recently demonstrated for new gun control legislation. President Trump briefly indicated his support for Gun Violence Restraining Orders, before abandoning the idea under pressure from the National Rifle Association.
Skinner’s new legislation, SB 1200, eliminates any fees for requesting a GVRO and adds ammunition, magazines and firearm components to the list of items which can be confiscated. SB 1200 requires law enforcement personnel that serve the order to verbally ask the recipient if they have firearms or accessories and also requires GVROs that are issued for a 21-day period have a hearing held within that time period to allow for that GVRO to be extended for a year.
“The goal of SB 1200 is to prevent gun deaths and injuries,” said Skinner. “My bill improves the process so that those closest to the person at risk can act quickly and so that every single firearm and accessory is removed.”
Senator Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA) represents the 9th Senate District. She serves as Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety and the Judiciary.
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