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Nybo safety law allows public to identify dangerous individuals
The Governor signed the Lethal Violence Order of Protection Act into law, sponsored by Sen. Chris Nybo to identify dangerous individuals.
In an initiative to prevent future mass shootings and attacks, a new gun safety law sponsored by State Sen. Chris Nybo (R-Elmhurst) allows the public to identify and stop potentially dangerous individuals from endangering others or themselves with a firearm. Governor Bruce Rauner signed the measure into law in Chicago on July 16.
“House Bill 2354 establishes the Lethal Violence Order of Protection Act, creating an official process and outlet for anyone to speak up, identify and prevent a troubled individual from committing a horrifying act,” said Nybo. “It’s my hope we can begin to stop future tragedies before they start and set a proactive example in Illinois that shows we take our residents’ safety seriously.”
The Lethal Violence Order of Protection Act allows family members, acquaintances or law enforcement to petition the court to identify and issue an ex parte order for an individual who poses an immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to one’s self or another with a firearm. The Act will establish a number of factors and types of evidence that the court must consider before issuing a lethal violence order of protection. It also provides a process by which an individual receives a due process hearing to answer the sworn allegations put forth against them in court.
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The legislation aims to help identify individuals who display signs of dangerous behavior and remove their FOID card and any firearms in their possession prior to a possible shooting. It also outlines suspicious behavior that may not be covered under traditional protective orders.
“With help from the public in identifying dangerous individuals, this initiative allows for law enforcement to temporarily remove the individual’s FOID card and firearms until the court determines they are no longer a present danger to others,” said Nybo. “It’s a preventative measure that could save lives in Illinois, and I appreciate the Governor’s support and swift enactment.”
The measure takes effect on January 1, 2019.
