California Governor Jerry Brown rejected a legislation that will expand the state law on gun violence restraining orders (GVRO).
Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting introduced AB 2888, which would add co-workers, employers, and school personnel to the list of parties that can petition the courts to temporarily take away guns from someone who poses an imminent danger.
Currently, the state law only allows immediate family members and law enforcement officials to request courts for GVRO. Since the law took effect in 2016, it was used over 200 times. Courts granted 189 petitions for GVRO from 2016 to 2017, according to data from the California Department of Justice.
In his recent statements, Ting said his proposal will give California schools “another tool to prevent more campus tragedies.” The California State Assembly passed AB 2888 in May and sent it to Brown’s desk for approval. Unfortunately, the governor refused to sign it into law.
Governor’s veto message
In his veto message to the California State Assembly, Brown said the existing law already covers all the persons listed in the bill. He believes that family members and law enforcement officers are in the best position to decide on this matter.
