How To Prepare For A "Red Flag" Gun Confiscation Order At Home

Above, yours truly at the Jamestown gun range. Photo by Victor Gomez.

Three years ago, I was served with a restraining order by an ex, which included a provision that I must surrender my firearms to a licensed gun dealer or to the police. This was under a California "red flag" "Gun Violence Restraining Order" law that was enacted in 2014. Until this episode, I never heard of this law. 

Rather than go through everything, this post will recount what happened. Eventually, despite some cost and a prolonged hassle, I got all my guns back after I was able to show that her claims were bogus.

New "red flag" laws are being enacted in some states where the police can show up at your home unannounced and confiscate your weapons, no matter whether the party filing such orders were truly in fear of their life or just wanted to get revenge (as in my case).

The Truth About Guns website has a good article on how to prepare for a "red flag" confiscation order at your house. Unfortunately for me, I had no idea that such a law existed at the time.

It begins with:

Last week, I shared a post by a former Alabama police officer-turned-lawyer turned prosecutor on how to react if police show up at your home with a red flag order. Just the thought of police showing up to take your guns stirred a lot of emotions in comments. Understandably so. But between the author’s recommendations and some in comments, prudent people can prepare. 

Who needs to think about red flag confiscation orders? If you live in one of those states with red flag laws (WA, OR, CA, IL, IN, NY, NJ, MD, FL, RI, VT, CT, DE, MA), and now Colorado, cops could show up unannounced at your home with a court order to take your guns. 

It couldn’t happen to you? 

Don’t be a fool. 

How is your home life with your significant other? Do you have any current or former disgruntled business partners or employers/employees? Have any issues with parents, children or other relatives?  How do you get along with the in-laws? The neighbors? Co-workers? Ex-girlfriends/boyfriends? Had any bad Tinder (or Grindr) dates? 

If you’re like most folks, you’ve angered someone at some point in your life who might file a complaint to get even. Especially if they know you embrace America’s gun culture. 

What can you do to prepare for a “surprise” visit from police with a red flag order in hand?

The article then tells what steps one can take to prepare for a surprise visit from the police.

To read more, go here.