Ventura County prosecutor briefs Port Hueneme council on gun violence restraining orders and outreach

Rachole Kelly, a Family Justice Center on-site prosecutor with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, told the Port Hueneme City Council that gun violence restraining orders (GVROs) are a legal tool to temporarily remove firearms from people assessed to pose a credible risk to themselves or others.

Kelly summarized the law's development: the initial 2016 statute allowed law enforcement to seek GVROs; a 2020 expansion permitted some close relations and other specified parties to file ex parte petitions. Kelly described the process as involving initial temporary orders (typically 21 days) followed by a hearing where a judicial officer determines whether a longer-term order (one to five years) is appropriate. She emphasized due process protections and noted the U.S. Supreme Court upheld GVROs this year in People v. Rahimi.

Kelly said GVROs have been historically underutilized in Ventura County; she reported that, to date, not a single civilian-obtained ex parte GVRO had been obtained locally, though law enforcement-initiated GVROs have increased with training and awareness. She described outreach plans to engage school staff, law enforcement and community organizations and urged anyone aware of someone who may pose a risk to contact law enforcement.

Council members asked about outcomes, whether respondents can regain firearms after treatment, and training for schools and law enforcement; Kelly said courts may terminate orders early upon demonstrated stabilization and the DA's office is working with partners to expand training and usage where appropriate.

The presentation was an informational briefing; council expressed appreciation and no formal action was taken at this time.