SB 229 Summary

• Creates gun violence protective orders allowing peace officers or household members to petition district or superior court to prohibit individuals from possessing, owning, purchasing, or receiving firearms or ammunition if they pose a danger to self or others.

• Establishes three types of orders: standard protective orders (6-month duration with 10 days' notice), ex parte orders (20-day duration based on preponderance of evidence), and emergency orders (72-hour duration that can be issued orally).

• Requires respondents to surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement or sell to a firearms dealer within 24 hours, with proof of surrender due within 48 hours, and creates a process for returning firearms when orders expire.

• Amends the crime of violating protective orders to include violations of gun violence protective orders under AS 18.65.815-18.65.825 and updates the central registry to track all protective order types.

• Grants district judges and magistrates authority to issue gun violence protective orders and takes effect July 1, 2024, contingent on receiving a two-thirds majority vote of each house as required by the Alaska Constitution.