New Mexico Senate approves bill to remove firearms from dangerous persons News
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New Mexico Senate approves bill to remove firearms from dangerous persons

The New Mexico Senate on Friday approved the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which would allow firearms to be temporarily seized from dangerous persons, by a vote of 22-20.

Under the legislation, law enforcement officers would be able to petition for a court order to take away a person’s firearms for 10 days before a hearing could be held for a one-year extreme risk firearm protection order if there is probable cause to believe that the person poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others.

Any person who fails to comply with either the temporary extreme risk firearm protection order or a one-year extreme risk firearm protection order would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any firearm relinquished would be returned to the person within 10 days following the expiration or termination of an extreme risk firearm protection order after a national criminal background check.

The bill is now pending the House’s approval.