Supporters of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) contend that these mechanisms are in place to safeguard innocent people from those who would bring them harm.
While that is true in some cases, there are far too many examples of upstanding citizens having their firearms confiscated on nothing more than word of mouth with little or no due process.
A prominent investigative journalist discovered this truth last week before finally receiving justice.
Law-abiding citizens should not lose their weapons merely on word-of-mouth
James O’Keefe makes his living exposing fraud and corruption, and for these efforts, he receives regular death threats and has come under physical attack. Last week, due to proceedings in a civil matter, the West Palm Beach Police Department descended on his workplace and took his weapons.
However, Judge Marie E. Mato quickly overturned the ERPO and allowed him to regain his lawfully possessed property. She further thanked him for being a good citizen and complying with the contentious order that he obviously disagreed with.
O’Keefe shared images on social media of authorities rounding up his weapons under Florida’s red flag law. He described a dispute with a former board member on a previous project as the reason his weapons were seized.
Professional dispute led to journalist’s firearms being seized
“Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department just served me with a domestic violence restraining order…the former board member from Project Veritas who said he wants to murder me,” O’Keefe declared.
He added that his former business associate allegedly made personal threats and then filed a restraining order against his target.
The journalist’s case is a prime example of how such red flag laws may be weaponized against rivals. With due process out the window, O’Keefe had no choice but to hand over his means of self-defense and throw himself on the mercy of a judge.
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