Gov. Charlie Baker will sign a bill on Tuesday that will give Massachusetts even stronger gun control laws.
Massachusetts already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. The so-called "red flag" bill, or extreme risk protection order bill, will allow a family or household member to petition a judge to confiscate someone's gun if the person poses a danger to themselves or others.
Baker, a Republican, on Monday said he was swayed by the support of the state's police chiefs.
"Massachusetts has always relied on police chiefs to serve as the primary point of decision-making on issues around license to carry," Baker said. "The fact that the police chiefs came out and support this legislation meant a lot to us."
Baker is planning a bill signing ceremony at 12:30 p.m. in his office.
Under the bill, if a family or household member believes someone poses a risk to themselves or someone else, they will be able to petition a District Court judge to immediately suspend that person's gun license and confiscate their weapons.
Within 10 days, the judge would hold a hearing, and the person would have a chance to argue whether the protective order should be extended for up to a year.
The ruling could be appealed. It could be modified based on a request by either party.
Massachusetts police chiefs already have discretion to deny someone a gun license. But the police chiefs said this bill would provide an extra tool for family members who know someone best to remove someone's guns without involving the police.
Legislature sends 'red flag' gun bill to Gov. Charlie Baker
The bill would allow a family or household member to petition a judge to confiscate someone's gun if the person poses a danger to themselves or others.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Decker, D-Cambridge, gained momentum in the Legislature as part of a national push for stronger gun control laws after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Alumni of the Parkland school lobbied in its favor.
At least five states already have similar laws in place.
Supporters of the bill say it will save lives by potentially preventing someone from committing suicide or homicide.
Massachusetts' gun rights lobby opposed the bill. Representatives of the Gun Owners Action League had argued that the extreme risk protection order would do nothing to help someone who has a mental illness, but would merely confiscate a person's weapons and send the person home.
The bill will go into effect 45 days after it is signed into law.
Massachusetts already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. The so-called "red flag" bill, or extreme risk protection order bill, will allow a family or household member to petition a judge to confiscate someone's gun if the person poses a danger to themselves or others.
Baker, a Republican, on Monday said he was swayed by the support of the state's police chiefs.
"Massachusetts has always relied on police chiefs to serve as the primary point of decision-making on issues around license to carry," Baker said. "The fact that the police chiefs came out and support this legislation meant a lot to us."
Baker is planning a bill signing ceremony at 12:30 p.m. in his office.
Under the bill, if a family or household member believes someone poses a risk to themselves or someone else, they will be able to petition a District Court judge to immediately suspend that person's gun license and confiscate their weapons.
Within 10 days, the judge would hold a hearing, and the person would have a chance to argue whether the protective order should be extended for up to a year.
The ruling could be appealed. It could be modified based on a request by either party.
Massachusetts police chiefs already have discretion to deny someone a gun license. But the police chiefs said this bill would provide an extra tool for family members who know someone best to remove someone's guns without involving the police.
Legislature sends 'red flag' gun bill to Gov. Charlie Baker
The bill would allow a family or household member to petition a judge to confiscate someone's gun if the person poses a danger to themselves or others.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Decker, D-Cambridge, gained momentum in the Legislature as part of a national push for stronger gun control laws after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Alumni of the Parkland school lobbied in its favor.
At least five states already have similar laws in place.
Supporters of the bill say it will save lives by potentially preventing someone from committing suicide or homicide.
Massachusetts' gun rights lobby opposed the bill. Representatives of the Gun Owners Action League had argued that the extreme risk protection order would do nothing to help someone who has a mental illness, but would merely confiscate a person's weapons and send the person home.
The bill will go into effect 45 days after it is signed into law.
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