BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) – Governor Baker signed The Red Flag Bill on Tuesday, a new law that allows a relative or household member to initiate court action to ask a judge to take gun ownership rights away from somebody because of mental health issues that you'd have to prove in court.
Angela Cristiana is with the group Moms Demand Action. She tells WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Carl Stevens that they support this measure this is another tool in the tool box for families to go petition a court to get the guns or move.
The new law is opposed by the gun owners Action League they say it's a gun confiscation bill rather than a mental health.
“Massachusetts’ gun laws are a model for the nation, and creating an additional pathway to keep guns away from people unfit to possess them will make our laws even stronger,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This law creates a responsible way to help prevent gun deaths and suicides while protecting individuals’ second amendment rights.”
Once the petition is filed, the individual can appeal the decision and a hearing must be held within ten days, and if the court finds that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, the court can order the immediate surrender of all weapons and the individual’s firearm license -- the petition can last up to one year.
The new law also gives the rights to local police departments to continue to revoke or suspend firearm licenses based on the situation.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Carl Stevens reports