Critics Weign In On Arizona Governor's School Safety Plan Changes

By Holliday Moore
Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Published: Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 12:51pm

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's school safety plan is changing shape in a number of ways.

Under his proposal, judges can still take someone's gun away during a 24 hour period while they're being evaluated as a possible threat.

Gone, however, is the proposal to deny a concealed weapons permit to anyone with an outstanding arrest warrant.

He's facing opposition from a number of sides, including from the Citizens Defense League for his provision allowing a gun owner to retrieve their weapon once a judge determines they're not a threat.

David Kopp with the League asked why, if the state misjudged a person's mental risk, should the burden be on the individual to get their property back.

"Shouldn't it be on the state to get them back to you?" he asked, "Shouldn't the state issue an order to law enforcement?"

Democrats are also unhappy with the governor's refusal to require background checks on all weapons sold, including gun shows and independent sales.

Without the support of Democrats, Ducey will work to secure every Republican vote for it to pass the Senate floor.

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