HB3610  - An Act temporarily preventing firearm access for extremely dangerous or suicidal individuals 	
Sponsor:	Rep. Decker, Marjorie (D)	
Summary:	This is in the category of bills known as 'red flag' bills, in that it essentially allows a family to 'flag' a dangerous family member and have a court decide whether that person should be allowed to keep their firearms.  In particular, the bill adds several sections that, among other things, first define an 'Ex parte extreme risk protection order,' define who is a household member, and authorize an action for an ex parte extreme risk protection order in the superior court, district court or the Boston municipal court department.  

The court has to find reasonable cause to believe that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others by having in his or her custody or control, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. If the court finds such probable cause, it is to issue an ex parte extreme risk protection order, and then schedule a hearing within 14 days to determine if a 1-year extreme risk protection order should be issue. After one year, the order expires on it's own, unless another ex parte order has been filed.  The remainder of the bill goes in great detail in setting forth the process for how these orders are to be litigated.	
Status:	House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling (HSP)	
Oral Testimony:	11/16/17 - JPSF - Public Hearing
TESTIFIED IN OPPOSITION
Amanda Devino, Concerned Citizen - Devino
I am opposed to HB1281 and HB2495. You are basically telling me I am a criminal even though I have committed no crime. I just own a gun. We are legally tracked like sex offenders in this state, and that's disgusting. I also oppose HB3610. It does nothing to combat gun violence.
TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT
Allison Sherman, Concerned Citizen - Sherman
I grew up in a house with a loved one who had, and still has, a mental illness. This person would repeatedly threaten to harm themselves or others. No one deserves to fear for their own life or those of others because an unstable person can purchase a firearm.
Marjorie C Decker, State Representative
MA House of Representatives - Rep. Decker
I want to support Representative Lyons's bill. Anything we can to do provide mental health services to our police officers is something I support.. I am here to support a number of bills. Massachusetts has the lowest gun fatality rate in the country. It is not a coincidence. It's because we have the best, most responsible gun laws in the country. When we make any decision about policy, we need to consider if something creates harm to our Commonwealth or makes us better and safer. Anything we can do to continue our commitment to strong gun laws is a good thing. It is up to states to take leadership when the federal government won't act. My bill, HB3610, allows for family members and law enforcement to report when someone appears dangerous. This allows people who know a dangerous individual to speak up and make that information known. I also ask that you consider HB3611. That would allow people to self-report if they don't think they would be safe holding on to their own firearms. The fact that I cannot keep up with the last mass murder in this country is crazy. We are living in a time where, every day, 100 people die from gun violence. I hope we're not afraid to call out people who are favoring the industry over the public interest.

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