A law that would allow family members or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone if there is a risk of injury or death was passed by California’s state legislature last week.

The Gun Violence Restraining Order (AB 1014) now goes to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown for his signature.

The bill was introduced after a mentally disturbed student went on a rampage in Isla Vista near the University of California, Santa Barbara on May 23, 2014. He shot 13 people and killed six before killing himself.

The shooter’s family had called police days before the killings to warn they feared violence and to report their son was becoming mentally unstable and buying guns. Police interviewed the student, but had no legal means to remove his guns.

Supporters of the bill include the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, California State Sheriffs Association, Disability Rights California, City of Los Angeles, Attorney General Kamala Harris, California Psychiatric Association and the Brady Campaign to end gun violence. Similar laws are in place in Connecticut and Indiana, Jen Fuson of the Brady campaign said.

—by Patric Hedlund

This is part of the September 5, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you.