Gun confiscation by police

[elpac3]

Richfield gun seizure raises question of mental illness and 2nd Amendment rights - StarTribune.com

Interesting article of a gun owner - allegedly with a mental illness but no public threat who had his weapons taken away by police in violation of state statute.

Bottom line seems to be guilty until proven innocent and bypass of state statutes in dealing with these types of cases.

 

[dougb1946]

Without knowing what went on, it is hard to judge this. California had a squad of cops that went out to confiscate guns in similar situations. You could say no, demand a warrant, and they had to leave. But they frequently talked people into surrendering guns-voluntary surrender. If the Richfield cops were invited in, the law may effect this differently. And he does get a day in court. We never get all the facts, and those we do get are frequently wrong.

 

[redlevel]

Without knowing what went on, it is hard to judge this. California had a squad of cops that went out to confiscate guns in similar situations. You could say no, demand a warrant, and they had to leave. But they frequently talked people into surrendering guns-voluntary surrender. If the Richfield cops were invited in, the law may effect this differently. And he does get a day in court. We never get all the facts, and those we do get are frequently wrong.

The only fact I need to know is quoted in the article:

Minnesota law allows the seizure of firearms on mental health grounds only if an individual has been committed to a mental institution or has been ruled by a judge to be a public danger. That requires a legal finding that the person has tried to harm others or that there's "a substantial likelihood" of harmful behavior.

Assuming the author of the article did proper research concerning the law, officers grossly violated the gentleman's civil rights. It isn't hard for me to make that judgement.

 

[dougb1946]

Unless the cops were invited in and convinced him to surrender the guns. Then it is not a seizure .