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Red‑flag bill advances to hearing as sponsor frames it as life‑saving; debate centers on due process and firearm return
Summary
Representative Tom France presented HB 622, a proposal to allow courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs); proponents argued ERPOs reduce firearm suicides and domestic‑violence deaths, opponents raised due‑process and list‑placement concerns and asked for clarifying amendments on permit return and penalties for misuse.
Representative Tom France opened the Judiciary Committee hearing on House Bill 622, describing the bill as an "extreme risk" law that would allow family members and law enforcement to seek temporary court orders to remove firearms from people judged to pose imminent danger to themselves or others.
Sponsor’s description: France said Montana has one of the nation's highest suicide rates, with firearms involved in a large share of deaths, and argued that temporary removal of access during a crisis protects individuals and families. The bill includes an emergency ex parte order mechanism with subsequent notice and an opportunity for the respondent to be heard; the sponsor said the measures are designed to balance…
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