Speaker
Mattiello and Rep Canario introduce “Red Flag”
gun bill
Representative Dennis Canario filed legislation (H7688) that “would create a means for courts to disarm
people whose behavior is believed by authorities to pose a serious threat to
others or themselves.” Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (Democrat, District 15, Cranston), a stalwart supporter of gun rights, is supporting the bill.
The bill is supported by
the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association.
Red Flag Laws empower family members and law enforcement to seek an Extreme
Risk Protection Order, a court order temporarily restricting a person’s
access to guns when they pose a danger to self or others.
Five states have Red Flag Laws in place, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon and Washington. Nearly two dozen states, now including Rhode Island, are considering them.
Five states have Red Flag Laws in place, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon and Washington. Nearly two dozen states, now including Rhode Island, are considering them.
The legislation creates the “extreme
risk protective order” which would allow authorities to disarm threatening
individuals while also providing them due process. The order would prohibit an
individual from possessing or purchasing guns, would require them to surrender
guns in their possession and would invalidate any concealed carry permits they
have. Violating such an order — or providing firearms to someone subject to one
— would be a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The order would be in place for one
year, but could be renewed by the court. Those subject to one could also
petition once per year to have them lifted.
Under the bill, police, the attorney
general or a family or household member of an individual could petition Superior Court for an extreme risk protection
order if they believe the individual poses a significant danger of causing
injury to himself or others by having a firearm. The petitioner must give an
affidavit stating the specific statements, actions, or facts that give rise to
a reasonable fear of future dangerous acts by that individual.
A judge would determine whether to
issue one, considering any recent acts or threats of violence with or without a
firearm and patterns of such threats or acts in the previous year, and the
individual’s mental health, substance abuse and criminal histories. The court
would also consider any unlawful, threatening, or reckless use or brandishing
of a firearm by the individual and evidence of any recent acquisition of a
firearm.
Court hearings to determine whether
to issue an extreme risk protective order must be held within 21 days, but in
the meantime, the petitioner can request a temporary extreme risk protective
order, similar to a temporary restraining order, which would be issued within a
day if the court agrees that there is probable cause to believe the individual
poses an imminent threat to others or himself if armed.
When an individual is served with
the order, he or she must immediately hand over all firearms and any concealed
carry permit in his or her possession to police or a licensed gun dealer. The
order would be reported to the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System (NICS) and all state
and federal lists used for determining whether those seeking to purchase guns
have been prohibited from doing so.
“As a retired police
officer with more than 25 years of experience in the law enforcement field,
recent tragic events have placed into focus the extreme dangers of having
firearms in the hands of troubled individuals. I thank my fellow officers
for their leadership and commitment to this public policy issue. This
legislation seeks to take guns away from individuals with behavioral health
problems so that our children and the public will always remain safe,” said
Canario.
“I thank the Police
Chiefs Association and all police officers for protecting us and putting public
safety first,” said Mattiello.
“Behavioral health issues are increasingly causing irrational and unacceptable behavior and these individuals should be stripped of their firearms to protect our children and our society. This legislation is an effective step and an important tool to help law enforcement intervene and prevent tragic outcomes from occurring.”
“Behavioral health issues are increasingly causing irrational and unacceptable behavior and these individuals should be stripped of their firearms to protect our children and our society. This legislation is an effective step and an important tool to help law enforcement intervene and prevent tragic outcomes from occurring.”
“The members of the
Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association greatly appreciate the swift response
by Speaker Mattiello in putting forth a comprehensive ‘Red Flag’ bill,” said
Jamestown Police Chief Edward Mello.
“We look forward to the opportunity to be part of the discussion as the bill is introduced and considered by the General Assembly.”
“We look forward to the opportunity to be part of the discussion as the bill is introduced and considered by the General Assembly.”
In addition to
Representative Canario and Speaker Mattiello, other sponsors of the bill
include Representatives Gregory Costantino (Democrat,
District 44, Lincoln), Kenneth Marshall(Democrat,
District 68, Bristol), Deborah Fellela (Democrat,
District 43, Johnston), Arthur Corvese (Democrat,
District 55, North Providence) and House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi (Democrat, District 23, Warwick).