With credit to "10x25mm" for the find!

Rep. Wittenberg Introduces Extreme Risk Protection Order to Reduce Gun Violence, Protect Michigan Families


Michigan House Democrats
Tuesday, June 6, 2017




LANSING — State Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park) introduced new legislation to allow judges to issue protective orders for individuals that law enforcement or family members assert pose a threat. His proposal would target those individuals who pose a clear and present risk of harm to themselves or others, but who are not otherwise restricted from purchasing or possessing guns. Wittenberg was joined at a press conference today by representatives from Moms Demand Action, the Michigan Coalition Against Gun Violence and Kim Miles representing the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

“This legislation is about public safety. If someone has made threats of violence or suicide, it only makes sense to take those threats seriously,” Wittenberg said. “By following a court process to only temporarily limit access to guns for these individuals, we can better protect our families and communities. This legislation would give us another tool to try and prevent more senseless tragedies.”

The Extreme Risk Protection Order would allow a family member, a federal law enforcement officer or a local law enforcement officer to ask the courts to issue a protection order against a person who poses a significant risk of personal injury to him or herself or others by possessing a firearm. The court would have to consider testimony, documents and other evidence in support of the request, including whether the person had previously inflicted or threatened to inflict personal injury or harm to others and any other facts the court deems relevant. Under the order, law enforcement could possess the individual’s firearm, and the individual would be prohibited from purchasing new firearms while the order is in effect.

The order could be in effect for no longer than a year from the date it was issued.