Post by Logan on Mar 14, 2016 17:15:03 GMT -6
HARTFORD — A change in state law to prohibit firearm possession when a restraining order is filed but prior to a hearing before a judge was subject to impassioned debate between gun rights supporters and domestic violence experts at a legislative hearing Monday.
Current law requires a judge's ruling before firearms and ammunition can be removed from an individual who has a temporary restraining order filed against them. Backers of the legislation said the roughly two weeks between when the order is filed and a hearing can be precarious for victims.
"The minute a woman comes forward and asks for a temporary restraining order is the most dangerous moment of her life," said Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly.
But gun rights supporters said the law would be a violation of due process and raised concerns about how quickly firearms would be returned if a judge doesn't grant a permanent restraining order.
Read more: www.courant.com/politics/hc-guns-restraining-orders-0315-20160314-story.html
Current law requires a judge's ruling before firearms and ammunition can be removed from an individual who has a temporary restraining order filed against them. Backers of the legislation said the roughly two weeks between when the order is filed and a hearing can be precarious for victims.
"The minute a woman comes forward and asks for a temporary restraining order is the most dangerous moment of her life," said Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly.
But gun rights supporters said the law would be a violation of due process and raised concerns about how quickly firearms would be returned if a judge doesn't grant a permanent restraining order.
Read more: www.courant.com/politics/hc-guns-restraining-orders-0315-20160314-story.html