New Los Angeles County communication system aims at confiscating guns in restraining order cases
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County has launched a new digital communication system designed to more quickly get guns out of the hands of people hit with domestic violence restraining orders.
The system automatically notifies the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the LAPD and the 86 other law enforcement agencies in the county when a firearm relinquishment restraining order violation is determined.
Court officials say the system boosts public safety and enhances efficiency, communication and coordination among all the various agencies.
"The introduction of a new notification system and portal to address firearm relinquishment violations represent two significant milestones in how we collectively address gun violence in our communities," Presiding Judge Tapia said. "These new systems ensure that individuals ordered by the court to relinquish firearms in domestic violence and other restraining cases surrender their weapons promptly, benefitting the safety and security of all Los Angeles County residents."
When it comes to restraining orders, one looming factor can decide the safety of the person seeking protection: Whether or not the target of the restraining order owns any guns.
"Abusers who have access to guns are five times more likely to kill their victims than if they didn't have access to those guns," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
In L.A. County, the process of confiscating firearms that a court has ordered to be removed in restraining order cases, has been slow and inefficient and not well coordinated between the various law enforcement agencies involved.
The new digital platform and an accompanying firearm relinquishment portal promise to get more illegal guns off the streets.
"Every gun removed from a prohibited person helps prevent tragedies before they happen," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.
