W.F. PRICE: In Washington State, Domestic Violence Accusation May Lead to Gun Seizures.

The Washington state senate has passed a bill that gives judges the power to seize people’s guns if they find them to be a “credible threat” to women in their lives. No conviction or jury trial necessary. . . .

Washington state residents, like pretty much all Americans, can lose the right to bear arms for any DV conviction (or plea bargain), whether it is a felony or not. Say you get charged with assault for grabbing your phone away from your girlfriend during an argument. If convicted, that means permanent loss of the right to bear arms. . . .

But this bill is indeed worse in some ways. Here, there needs be no proof of assault, no conviction, no real evidence to speak of. All a woman would have to do is show up in front of a judge and swear that some man had threatened her, and she feels scared. The man is then summoned to appear in front of a judge. If he can’t prove he is not dangerous, then the police seize his weapons.