SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGTV) -- Less than two weeks after the Chabad of Poway shooting, lawmakers decided to take action to prevent further gun violence.
The California State Assembly approved a bill that would allow Californians to petition for a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO). This means that school workers, employers and co-workers could ask a judge to temporarily take away someone's firearm if they pose a threat to themselves or others.
Currently, the law only allows law enforcement and immediate family members to use this type of restraining order.
Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) is the author behind the bill.
“Last year’s senseless shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks compelled me to renew efforts to expand California’s Gun Violence Restraining Order law. We have another incident, this time at a place of worship in Poway – when will it end?” said Ting, who has seen two previous versions of his bill vetoed by Governor Brown. “Our new governor has indicated he is open to more gun safety laws. I am hopeful that third time’s the charm.”
Ting believes the changes are necessary because schools and workplaces are frequently becoming places for mass shootings.
GVRO's are also called "red flag laws." They have been enacted in fourteen states, including Colorado and Florida.
The California Department of Justice says from 2016 to 2018, 614 GVROs were issued. A bulk of those, 424 orders, were obtained last year.
When a GVRO is ordered, a gun owner must surrender their firearm for 21 days.
The bill is now headed to the Senate for consideration.
