AB 61 – Employers, Coworkers, Employees, & Teachers Can Now Petition to Take Your Guns Away in California
Previous Law for a GVRO
Existing law authorizes a court to issue an ex parte gun violence restraining order (GVRO) prohibiting the subject of the petition from having in their custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving, or attempting to purchase or receive, a firearm or ammunition. However it must be shown that there is a substantial likelihood that the subject of the petition poses a significant danger of self-harm or harm to another in the near future by having in their custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. The court must find that the order is necessary to prevent personal injury to the subject of the petition or another, as specified. 
Existing law requires the ex parte order to expire no later than 21 days after the date on the order. Existing law also authorizes a court to issue a gun violence restraining order prohibiting the subject of the petition from having in their custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving, or attempting to purchase or receive, a firearm or ammunition for a period of one year when there is clear and convincing evidence that the subject of the petition, or a person subject to an ex parte gun violence restraining order, as applicable, poses a significant danger of personal injury to the subject of the petition or another by having in their custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm, and that the order is necessary to prevent personal injury to the subject of the petition or another, as specified.
Existing law authorizes renewal of a gun violence restraining order within 3 months of the order’s expiration. Petitions for ex parte, one-year, and renewed gun violence restraining orders may be made by an immediate family member of the person or by a law enforcement officer.
AB 61
California’s Assembly Bill No. 61 would, commencing September 1, 2020, similarly authorize an employer, a coworker who has substantial and regular interactions with the person and approval of their employer, or an employee or teacher of a secondary or postsecondary school, with approval of a school administrator or a school administration staff member with a supervisory role, that the person has attended in the last 6 months to file a petition for an ex parte, one-year, or renewed gun violence restraining order.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 18170 and 18190 of the Penal Code proposed by AB 12 to be operative only if this bill and AB 12 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Contact the Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich For Help with Your Gun Violence Restraining Order
If you are seeking to obtain a GVRO against another person or a GVRO is placed against you, you should contact an attorney who can help you with a gun violence restraining order. Your gun rights may be at risk with the expansion from AB 61.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, West Covina, Torrance, and Victorville, there is an experienced and skilled Wallin & Klarich defense attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.
Contact our offices today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free, no-obligation phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
