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Calif. governor signs law to allow temporary gun seizures

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a measure that allows families or law enforcement to obtain a court order seizing the guns of people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

By Gabrielle Levy
UPI/Brian Kersey
UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- A new law in California that will allow courts to temporarily seize guns from people believed to be a threat was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown Tuesday.

State lawmakers pressed for the new law following the May shooting of six UC Santa Barbara students by Elliot Roger, whose family had raised alarm about his behavior before the shootings.

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The law will allow a court to bar possession of a firearm for 21 days for people determined to be a threat to themselves or others.

"Family members are often the first to spot the warning signs when someone is in crisis," said Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Santa Barbara, who was one of the bill's sponsors. "AB 1014 provides an effective tool to get guns out of the hands of loved ones to avoid these tragedies."

Opponents of the new law, including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of California, worried that gun owners would not get a hearing before the court issues a restraining order. Instead, a hearing must be held within 21 days.

"Without a doubt, AB 1014 is one of the most egregious violations of civil liberties ever introduced in the California Legislature," warned Charles Cunningham, of the NRA's Institute of Legislative Action.

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Also on Tuesday, Brown signed one measure, requiring BB guns to have bright markings so they won't be confused with real firearms by law enforcement, and vetoed another that would require gun owners to obtain serial numbers for guns assembled at home.

Both measures were sponsored by state Sen. Kevin De Leon, D-Los Angeles.

"I appreciate the author's concerns about gun violence, but I can't see how adding a serial number to a homemade gun would significantly advance public safety," Brown said in his veto comment.

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