In November 2016, Washington state voters passed gun regulation Initiative 1491. The Washington state law allows firearms to be confiscated temporarily from any person deemed—by family members, friends or law enforcement — to be violent or emotionally distraught and in need of a mental health intervention. The bill was passed by 71 percent of the vote. Parents and others can petition the courts for an ERPO — an extreme risk protection order — and take away firearms from someone they fear is a danger to themselves or to others. Five states now have ERPO laws — also called gun-violence restraining orders. Such laws have not run afoul of the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms because the court-ordered confiscations are temporary.

Beverly Leyman

Orcas Island