It’s been about a decade since gun-violence restraining orders were enabled by California law, but their use is still middling in the state, according to data from the California Department of Justice. That has prompted some of the law’s architects and most prominent backers to make a renewed push to increase awareness both among the public and law enforcement.
“We have example after example where (the orders) have prevented a suicide, a domestic violence shooting or a mass shooting,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in an interview. “But there is still room to grow.”
Santa Clara County has secured the most gun-violence restraining orders in the state for two years running. It filed 683 orders in 2024, or 41% more than San Diego County, which filed 483 and had previously topped the list.
Riverside County authorities filed 299 last year; After that, none of the 55 other California counties, including the most populous, Los Angeles County, filed more than 200, according to figures from the state Department of Justice.
In the Bay Area, San Mateo County filed 166 orders in 2024, followed by Alameda County with 128, San Francisco with 35, and Contra Costa with 14.
— Robert Salonga in Why is a decade-old red flag gun law still only seeing scattered use across California?
The, “RED FLAG” law as written is a violation of both civil and constitutional rights.
It has been, more often than naught used as a tool for, spiteful political “Swatting” .
Fact is, if “law-abiding” persons have no guns, criminals will have no need for firearms, either. Thus gun crime is eliminated, and other tools, perhaps less widely used, will be sufficient intimidation. I mean, if total gun confiscation is enforced, and it saves only one life, it is worth it.
Yea, and sprinkle a little fairy dust on them to eliminate all corruption while you’re at it.
“Yea, and sprinkle a little fairy dust on them to eliminate all corruption while you’re at it.”
Thanx. Hadn’t thought of that. Good idea.