SB 1381 Summary

• Creates a new "severe threat order of protection" in Arizona law that prohibits individuals from owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving firearms or ammunition based on evidence they pose a danger to themselves or others.

• Allows petitions to be filed by law enforcement officers, family or household members, school administrators or teachers, or licensed behavioral health professionals who have personal knowledge that a respondent poses a significant danger related to firearm possession.

• Establishes two types of orders: ex parte orders (issued without notice to respondent, effective until a scheduled hearing within 14 days) and one-year orders (issued after a hearing where court finds by preponderance of evidence that respondent poses significant danger).

• Requires respondents to relinquish all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement within 24 hours of service; law enforcement may charge reasonable storage fees and must return firearms when orders expire unless respondent is otherwise prohibited from possessing them.

• Mandates courts notify the Department of Public Safety within one court day of issuing or terminating orders so information is submitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for firearm purchase background checks.