“Extreme Risk” restraining order bill gets knocked back

Mar 5, 2018, 6:42 PM

...

UTAH STATE CAPITOL – A bill that was designed to attempt mass shootings in Utah hits a major snag.  The House Judiciary Committee says it needs a lot more work, so they plan to study it during an interim session.

A regular restraining order is issued when one person threatens another, but, what happens if someone is threatening to kill themselves, or a large group of people?  House Bill 438 sponsor, Representative Steve Handy, says the bill would create something called an “Extreme Risk Restraining Order.”  A judge would have had the ability to take away a person’s guns if the evidence shows they’re a threat to the public.  Handy says, “Maybe, it has a piece of the puzzle to hopefully head these things off.”

The bill would have also created penalties for anyone who made a false claim to have someone’s guns removed.  Handy says over a dozen other states are considering similar legislation.  “Regrettably, Florida did not have this statute to, perhaps, stop the Parkland shooter.  They’re acting now.  There are two bills in the Florida legislature, in the House and Senate, competing to get to the finish line,” Handy says.

Some of the other committee members, however, say the bill was not well thought out.  Representative Brian Greene says he was concerned about someone not needing to be present to have their guns taken away.  “This, to me, is more of a gun confiscation effort than it is a public safety measure,” Greene says.

He believes the bill vilifies the weapon instead of the reason behind the crime.  He adds, “The only thing it focuses on is his firearms, or her firearms.  It doesn’t focus on other dangerous weapons that might be in that person’s possession.”

The committee voted 7-4 to send the bill back to the Rules Committee for further study.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

A team at the University of Utah has received funding to research if ultrasound technology can help...

Britt Johnson

University of Utah using funding for ultrasound research to treat addiction

Could an ultrasound help cure addiction? A team of researchers at the University of Utah thinks so.

3 hours ago

Texts shown during Chad Daybell's jury trial show he and Lori Daybell planned to be together in Haw...

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com

Texts show Chad and Lori Daybell’s relationship days after death of Lori Daybell’s husband

Just days after Charles Vallow was shot and killed in his wife Lori Vallow Daybell’s home, she was exchanging sexual texts with Chad Daybell.

4 hours ago

The Unified Police Department is searching for a missing 13-year-old girl from Midvale Friday night...

Devin Oldroyd

Unified Police Department searching for missing 13-year-old in Midvale

The Unified Police Department is searching for a missing 13-year-old girl from Midvale Friday night.

4 hours ago

two people shown with wraps over themselves as they use the cbp one app...

Peter Johnston

Utah lawmakers push bill to stop undocumented immigrants from boarding planes

The CBP One app allows people immigrating to the U.S. to set up an appointment with customs before they land at a port of entry.

4 hours ago

Alex Ye, an 18-year-old Maryland high school student, was arrested and charged with threat of mass ...

Chris Boyette, Braden Walker and Jillian Sykes, CNN

Maryland student arrested, 129-page document found detailing school shooting plan

A Maryland high school student was arrested and charged with threat of mass violence Wednesday.

5 hours ago

Michael Bacon and Kevin Bacon (Bacon Brothers Band) during rehearsals for Mother Nature Netwok's Wh...

Curt Gresseth

After 40 years, Payson High bringing home Bacon

Kevin Bacon returns Saturday to Payson High School for the 40th anniversary of the movie Footloose.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

a person dressed up as a nordic viking in a dragon boat resembling the bear lake monster...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Legend of the Bear Lake Monster

The Bear Lake monster has captivated people in the region for centuries, with tales that range from the believable to the bizarre.

...

Live Nation Concerts

All the artists coming to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (formerly USANA Amp) this summer

Summer concerts are more than just entertainment; they’re a celebration of life, love, and connection.

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

“Extreme Risk” restraining order bill gets knocked back