California Senate passes firearms restraining order procedure

California lawmakers have advanced a bill that allows judges to temporarily remove firearms from people who show signs that they could harm themselves or others.

The Senate on Wednesday passed AB1014 by Democratic Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner of Berkeley on a 23-8 vote. It was drafted after a murderous rampage in May near the University of California, Santa Barbara.

It would make California the first state to let family members and law enforcement officers ask a judge to issue temporary restraining orders preventing people from possessing a firearm.

Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara says it will be worth the effort if one life can be saved. Republicans were opposed, saying law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be disarmed.

The parents of two victims watched the vote, which returned AB1014 to the Assembly.