Domestic violence offenders could be ordered to give up guns
Padden calls for a vote on firearms bill.
OLYMPIA -- A person under a restraining order for domestic violence can be ordered to surrender all firearms under a law that passed the Legislature this afternoon.
In a 49-0 vote, the Senate sent to Gov. Jay Inslee a bill that allows the subject of such a restraining order to be required give up his or her guns after a hearing if a judge rules that person is a credible threat. The bill was first proposed last year in the House and went through several changes as it moved back and forth between the chambers.
Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the bill complies with both the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the stronger protections for having firearms in the state constitution. "There are times when people should not have these firearms," he said.
With an amendment for due process procedures that include a notice, the hearing and the judge's finding, the National Rifle Association dropped its opposition to the bill, Padden said. HB 1840 passed the House 97-0 last month.
