Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear House Bill 265.  HB 265, sponsored by Representative Merika Coleman (D-57),would authorize individuals to file for a “gun violence protective order” against anyone they claim is dangerous, which may be awarded by a court without any due process protections in place.  Individuals subject to such orders will be forced to surrender any and all firearms in their possession.  Without a doubt, HB 265 is one of the most egregious violations of civil liberties ever introduced in the Alabama Legislature.  This slipshod and misguided bill would create a process that is ripe for abuse. 

Please use the TAKE ACTION button below to contact the member of the House Judiciary Committee urging them to OPPOSE HB 265.

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HB 265 would authorize an individual to file for a “gun violence protective order” against someone they believe shouldn’t have firearms.  The list of those who can file for such an order includes family members, former dating partners, former roommates, as well as teachers and members of law enforcement.  When compared to federal law, HB 265 provides for an expanded universe of parties who can trigger the deprivation of a law-abiding citizen’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, as well as his or her Fourth Amendment right to be free from improper searches and seizures.

It should be noted that if an individual is truly dangerous, existing law already provides a variety of mechanisms to deal with the individual, all of which can lead to firearm prohibitions in appropriate cases. The issuance of a “gun violence protective order” does nothing to deal with the underlying causes of dangerousness, nor does it subject the person to any actual physical restraint, ongoing reporting or monitoring requirements, or treatment for an underlying mental health condition.

HB 265 will also have the effect of acting as a false security blanket by leaving truly dangerous individuals free to commit violent crimes with anything at their disposal.  HB 265 will only promote the denial of fundamental civil liberties, not protect public safety.