Bill > S2549

This bill proposes to create an "extreme risk protection order" system in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. It defines an "extreme risk protection order" as a court order to immediately suspend a person's license to carry firearms or firearm identification card and require them to surrender all firearms, rifles, shotguns, weapons, and ammunition if the court finds the person poses a risk of causing bodily injury to themselves or others. 2. It establishes a process for family or household members, or local licensing authorities, to petition the court for an extreme risk protection order against someone. The court must hold a hearing and can issue the order if it finds the person poses the risk by a preponderance of the evidence. 3. It requires the licensing authority to immediately suspend the person's license and require them to surrender their firearms upon being served the order. It also provides procedures for the surrender, storage, and potential return of the firearms. 4. It creates criminal penalties for violating the extreme risk protection order provisions. 5. It requires the court to annually report on the use of these orders, including data on petitions, forfeitures, and demographics. The bill aims to provide a legal mechanism to temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed to pose a significant risk, in order to reduce the risk of harm to themselves or others.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2549