HB291 Summary

• Establishes the Gun Violence Protective Order Act authorizing courts to issue ex parte orders (temporary) and one-year orders prohibiting individuals who pose immediate and present danger from owning, purchasing, controlling, possessing, or receiving firearms and ammunition.

• Allows law enforcement officers, teachers, and family members to petition courts for protective orders based on evidence such as threats of violence, substance abuse, protective order violations, or recent firearm acquisitions.

• Requires respondents subject to protective orders to surrender all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement; law enforcement may conduct lawful searches to enforce surrender and may charge reasonable storage fees.

• Provides for order renewal (by petitioner) and early termination (by respondent) through court hearings; respondent seeking termination must prove by preponderance of evidence they no longer pose substantial danger.

• Creates criminal penalties including Class C misdemeanor for filing false petitions or violating orders; violators are prohibited from owning firearms for five years from conviction date.