House Judiciary panel votes to reject bill that would limit courts' discretion on firearm conditions for people on probation (HB 1301)

The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-3 to recommend "do not pass" on House Bill 1301 after members split over whether the measure would improperly remove judicial discretion to limit firearms for people on probation.

Supporters of the bill said it protects Second Amendment rights for people convicted of lesser offenses; opponents said it could leave judges unable to consider facts that indicate a risk to public safety. The committee initially considered an amendment from Representative Wolf to clarify which misdemeanor and infraction convictions would still allow courts to prohibit firearms; that amendment failed on a 7-7 tie. The committee later adopted the sponsor's amendment by an 8-6 vote, but a subsequent motion to recommend "do not pass as amended" carried 11-3.

Under current law, courts commonly include a condition of probation that a defendant may not possess a firearm, destructive device or other dangerous weapon while on probation. HB 1301, as discussed in committee, would bar courts…