Posted on 03/06/2018 3:44:18 PM PST by Politically Correct
Seattle police first in state to seize gun under mental health law
by Joel MorenoSaturday, March 3rd 2018
SEATTLE – The city’s police department became the first law enforcement agency in the state to force the surrender of a firearm under a new law known as an “extreme risk protection order.”
The incident involves a man who lives in Belltown, who neighbors said had been intimidating people for the past year - even staring-down customers through store-front windows with a gun holstered at his side. Mental illness is suspected, but that new law allowed police to legally disarm him.
“He was roaming the hallways with a .25 caliber automatic,” said Tony Montana, who knows the man from his apartment complex. “And it created a lot of fear obviously because I didn't know if he was coming after me or gonna just start shooting the place up."
The man, who we are not naming, is also well known to the bars and restaurants below his unit along Second Ave. The volume of complaints convinced Seattle police to seek an extreme risk protection order - or “erpo” – which allows law enforcement to legally remove guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others. In this case, the man refused to comply. Because of the new law, police were then able to return with a warrant and force the man to surrender the firearm.
“I’m very supportive of this law,” Montana said. “This is a perfect case in point where it's had some efficacy. It was an immediate crisis and law enforcement was able to remove his firearms, so it very well could have saved lives."
A few dozen erpos have been served and executed around the state, but Seattle police said they are the only agency so far to seize a gun because the owner refused to hand it over.
Law enforcement professionals said these specialized protection orders could be a common sense strategy to try and prevent mass shootings - such as what happened in Parkland, Florida.
“There's certainly a big concern of the connection between mental health and people exhibiting violent behavior and whether or not they should have access to firearms. The ‘erpos’ give us that tool now as an option,” said Sgt. Eric Pisconski, who leads the crisis response unit for the Seattle Police Department.
The confiscations only last a year, although they can be renewed.
Look at your keyboard - EW is a big thumb version of WA!
In WA, you CAN’T legally carry into a bar. They said he frequented the bars - they couldn’t just wait to get him on that more legally sound reason?
And - if he DID follow the law and didn’t carry into a bar - well then I guess he isn’t all that “crazy”.
Although to most Seattlites, carrying a gun in the open is pretty much proof that you ARE crazy.
Well, Seattle (aka Moscow-East) would drive any sane person insane with their Marxist policies and racism against the average white person.
Just listen to their insane governors of the state, the mayors of Seattle, and the City Council Democrat majority.
They are enough to drive me crazy and I live 3,000 thankful miles from them.
Beautiful city, infested with reds and druggies.
I totally agree with your comments.
Did this guy have any records from his
past that would paint him as a “mental”
incompetent? If not, unless he brandished
his weapon, or threatened anyone with it,
then merely because someone felt
uncomfortable in its presence, he should
be able bear it according to local law
and his 2ND amendment rights.
There is going to be a lot of court
cases in Seattle.
Two of us on the same page. Likely four but they haven’t chimed in here. In case you missed this from earlier today yet one more confirmation our opponents are at our backs. http://www.mpnnow.com/news/20180305/atf-special-agent-talks-to-victor-students-about-2nd-amendment
You’re crazy for owning guns, comrade, therefore we will take your guns!
This is crap. Was he actually breaking any laws? There has to be some due-process or adjudication by a licensed mental health board or something.
I call BS on you.
ACP is Automatic Colt Pistol.
Many of the first auto-loading pistols were called automatics or autos, and the smaller caliber sizes were very popular before WWII. My uncle had a .32 auto he kept in his semi cab.
I think I must be younger than you...
I do...understand and have used the term.."Hand me that Sig .380 auto.."....but never have I said..."Hand me that Sig 380 automatic"
You see the difference...??
I defer to a previous poster...That pointed that out...to me.
The Bill of Rights limits the federal government. Most state constitutions mirror the US Constitution, but not always.
Even convicted felons should be able to own a firearm just like anyone else once their sentence has been served and they have paid their dept to society.
Yeah, that depends. No one convicted of a gun crime should be out walking around unless they're geriatric. Whackjobs will get a weapon whether they legally buy it or not.
Which is why I scoff at the NRA’s call for mental health initiatives. Because the minute somebody tries that, they object.
Agreed Van. The ‘automatic’ word was used to describe the then, (110 plus or so years ago), new automatic FEEDING system from an internal magazine, The word automatic never referred to FIRING. I’m a bit surprised at some of the posts on this thread.
Same story different source...
Seattle Police Begin Gun Confiscations: No Laws Broken, No Warrant, No Charges
They try this shit on me, they better kill me where I stand.
Because I’m coming back. And this time it will be on my terms.
I recall a Seattle Fire Captain was walking out of Safeco Field with his wife and son after a Mariners game. Somehomeless bum walked up behind him and shot him in the head. My point is there are crazy people on the streets of Seattle with firearms. Maybe this guy was one of those or was he just ready for one of those...
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