Today, notice was given on Senate Bill 898, making it eligible for consideration on the Senate floor as early as Tuesday, March 7. SB 898 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week despite overwhelming opposition. It is imperative that you contact your state Senator and urge them to oppose this misguided legislation. Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Senator!
SB 898, sponsored by state Senator Ronald Kouchi (D-8), would permanently strip an individual of their Second Amendment rights, not based on a criminal conviction or mental adjudication, but based on a quasi-criminal proceeding. The bill allows for firearms to be seized based on an ex-parte warrant application based on the low evidentiary standard of probable cause. An individual is entitled to a hearing, however that hearing may not take place for up to 30 days. At the hearing, the seized firearms can be retained and a permanent firearm prohibition can be put in place, not because of a disqualifying offense but merely the risk of one. No one wants dangerous individuals to have access to firearms; however, this is not about dangerous people. This bill sets to ignore the normal rules of criminal procedure in order to promote the anti-gun agenda of the political elites and others.
Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator and urge them to oppose SB 898.