Governor Doug Ducey says he will be looking over gun control regulations as early as next week while lawmakers recently introduced four new measures that are still waiting to be heard.
The requests for gun control regulations comes in the wake of the school shooting that took place in Parkland, Fla., and the March for Our Lives movement organized by students to ask their lawmakers to do something. These are the four measures that have recently been introduced:
HB 2024: Requires universal criminal background checks including at gun shows or in private sales
HB 2001: Nearly identical to HB 2024, but asks legislators to put the issue of universal background checks on the ballot to allow voters to decide
HB 2140: Process where family members or police officers can have a judge stop someone with mental health issues from having a gun
HB 2299: Requires a person on probation for domestic violence to hand all their firearms over to a law enforcement agency
Rep. Randall Friese, R-Tucson, became a politician after working as a trauma surgeon during the shooting that happened involving Gabrielle Giffords. He says he is pushing for stronger gun safety and responsible ownership measures rather than gun control.
“At this point we need something meaningful,” Friese says. “Arizona has had enough of half measures. We really need a meaningful step here so people feel like we are doing something to keep them safe.”
One of the first steps toward making the public feel safer is enforcing a comprehensive system of background checks. Friese brings up a study that showed background checks would reduce the amount of domestic violence shootings and police officer shootings.
The measures listed above do not strip away anyone’s Second Amendment right, Friese says. There are also a number of exceptions woven into each measure. Scenarios including a parent giving their child a gun to go hunting, a person handing down an antique gun to a relative and loaning a gun to a friend because they think they are in danger are only a few of the exceptions included where a background check wouldn’t be required.
HB 2140, which lays out a process for telling a judge that someone shouldn’t be allowed to own firearms, is also an iceberg where there’s more under the quick summary. Someone who has a history of violence, has made suicide attempts, is mentally ill, are off their medication and other factors are traits that a person can bring to a judge. The individual would then be required to hand over their guns, certify that they don’t own any or be subjected to a search warrant. The injunction is valid for a year unless the individual requests a hearing to get their firearms back or it is renewed after the year is over.
There are many suggestions of arming individuals on school campuses, whether teachers or school resource officers. Freise has a different idea on where the money can be spent.
“I believe if we are going to increase funding, we need to increase funding for mental health counselors and social workers in schools,” Freise says. “They are the ones who will recognize the signs.”
Freise says it should be the school board’s decision on where the money goes, not the state’s.
TED SIMONS: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON. I'M TED SIMONS-. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN TODAY CALLED ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COORDINATE WITH NATO ALLIES IN RESPONDING TO RUSSIA'S NERVE-GAS ATTACK ON A FORMER RUSSIAN SPY AND HIS DAUGHTER IN THE U.K. MCCAIN TEAMED WITH NEBRASKA SENATOR BEN SASSE IN WRITING THAT, QUOTE, "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE LEADING CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR NATO ALLIES WEIGHING A COORDINATED RESPONSE NOW, SO THAT WE ARE BETTER PREPARED TO REACT TO RUSSIA'S NEXT BRAZEN ACT AGAINST OUR ALLIES." YESTERDAY, BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED THE LARGEST EXPULSION OF RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS FROM THE U.K. SINCE THE COLD WAR. AND THE U.S. SENATE HAS CONFIRMED ARIZONA TREASURER JEFF DEWIT AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT NASA. DEWIT PLANS TO LEAVE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WITHIN WEEKS. GOVERNOR DUCEY WILL THEN APPOINT A REPLACEMENT, WHO WILL THEN HAVE TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE IN NOVEMBER TO KEEP THE POSITION. IS ARIZONA ABOUT TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS ON FIREARMS? THE GOVERNOR IS REPORTEDLY READY TO INTRODUCE SOME SORT OF NEW REGULATIONS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. TWO STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE INTRODUCED SEVERAL GUN CONTROL BILLS THIS SESSION, INCLUDING, HOUSE BILL 20-24, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE UNIVERSAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, INCLUDING AT GUN SHOWS AND IN PRIVATE SALES. HOUSE BILL 2001 WHICH IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE AFOREMENTIONED BILL, BUT ASKS LAWMAKERS TO PUT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THE BALLOT AND LET VOTERS DECIDE. HOUSE BILL 2140 ALLOWS MEMBERS OR A POLICE OFFICER TO PETITION A JUDGE TO STOP SOMEONE WITH MENTAL-HEALTH ISSUES FROM POSSESSING A GUN. PERFORMING PROBATION FOR DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE TO HAND OVER ALL OF THEIR FIREARMS TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NONE OF THOSE BILLS HAS RECEIVED A HEARING. JOINING US NOW IS THE REPRESENTATIVE BEHIND THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, HE IS RANDALL FRIESE-, AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR WHO WENT INTO POLITICS AFTER TRYING TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A YOUNG SHOOTING VICTIM KILLED WHEN FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS WAS SHOT AND CRITICALLY INJURED.
RANDALL FRIESE-NICE TO BE HERE.
TED SIMONS-THE GOVERNOR SOUNDS LIKE HE'S READY TO DO SOMETHING. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
RANDALL FRIESE- I CAME TO THAT CONCLUSION AS WELL. I BELIEVE HE INTENDS TO DO SOMETHING. THE QUESTION IS, WHAT WILL HE DO? ARIZONA HAS HAD ENOUGH OF HALF MEASURES. WE NEED A MEANINGFUL STEP TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE PEOPLE SAFE.
TED SIMONS- YOU ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF GUN CONTROL. WHY?
RANDALL FRIESE- I SEE THIS IN MY CAREER. I HAVE BEEN A TRAUMA SURGEON SINCE 1997 TAKING CARE OF INJURED PEOPLE. I HAVE SEEN CHILDREN SHOT AT THEIR DOOR WAY BECAUSE CRIMINALS ARE FIRING IN THE STREET. I HAVE SEEN CHILDREN PULL A GUN OFF THE NIGHT TABLE AND SHOT THEMSELVES. IT'S A PROBLEM WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A HANDLE ON AND REDUCE THESE TYPE OF INJURIES.
TED SIMONS- CAN GOVERNMENT REDUCE THOSE KIND OF INJURIES? IS THAT SOMETHING GOVERNMENT CAN DO?
RANDALL FRIESE-ABSOLUTELY. CLEARLY, THERE IS DATA THAT DEMONSTRATES A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF BACKGROUND CHECKS WILL REDUCE SHOOTING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, 43% REDUCTION, A SYSTEM OF COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK WILL REDUCE SHOOTING OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS. THERE IS A DEFINITE REDUCTION.
TED SIMONS- IS THERE INFORMATION OUT THERE, AND IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO FIND OR NOT BEING LOOKED FOR?
RANDALL FRIESE- THERE ARE STUDIES OUT THERE, BUT PEOPLE CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE THEM. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY THE GOVERNMENT CAN FUND STUDIES TO SHOW RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BACKGROUND CHECKS, SAFE STORAGE AND CHILDREN BEING SHOT. WE NEED TO DO THE STUDIES TO REDUCE UNINTENTIONAL GUN INJURIES AS WELL.
TED SIMONS-WE HAD LAWMAKERS LAST NIGHT TALKING ABOUT THE TOPIC, ANIMATED CONVERSATION. EVERYONE IS INTO GUN SAFETY. I THINK FEW PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT, BUT WHEN YOU START SAYING YOU CAN'T DO THIS OR THAT, HOW DO YOU PROTECT SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT AND HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PERSON TO PERSON SALES WHEN THE GRANDFATHER WANTS TO THE GRANDKID A GUN.
RANDALL FRIESE-THE SECOND AMENDMENT STATES THE STATES MAY REGULATE FIREARMS. THAT IS INTERPRETED BY THE SUPREME COURT TO BE WHAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT SAYS. WE BROADLY USE THE WORD "TRANSFER" MEANING SALE. IF I MEET YOU AT YOUR GARAGE, YOU NEED A BACKGROUND CHECK. IF I'M GIVING MY SON A GUN TO GO HUNTING, THAT'S ALLOWED. THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ALLOWED WITHOUT THE OFFICIAL BACKGROUND CHECK NEEDING TO HAPPEN.
TED SIMONS- IN YOUR OPINION, IT DOES NOT TRAMPLE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
RANDALL FRIESE- IT DOES NOT.
TED SIMONS- AS FAR AS KEEPING THE MENTALLY ILL AWAY, WHO DECIDES?
RANDALL FRIESE- THE BILL YOU ARE REFERRING TO SETS UP A PRECISE STATUTE WHERE A LOVED ONE, CONCERNED PARTY CAN SAY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, MY WIFE, AND MY SISTER HAS A PROBLEM. THEY ARE CONCERNED. THEY HAVE BEEN VIOLENT IN THE PAST. THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A GUN. THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING THREATENING STATEMENTS. THEY GO BEFORE A JUDGE. THE JUDGE HAS A SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES, A CRITERIA THAT NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE. THEY'LL MAKE A DECISION TO TAKE THE FIREARMS AWAY. THE PERSON CAN VOLUNTEERLY TAKE YOU OVER OR SAY WE DON'T HAVE THEM BECAUSE RELATIVES SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THEM. THEY WON'T RELEASE THEM AND A SEARCH WARRANT CAN BE OBTAINED TO GET THE WEAPON.
TED SIMONS- HOW DOES THAT CHANGE FROM WHAT EXISTS NOW?
RANDALL FRIESE- IT CREATES A PROCESS OF WHAT IS IN THE STATUTE WHAT NEEDS TO BE MET TO GET THE WEAPON. IT SAYS THE PERSON IS ENJOYING HAVING THE WEAPONS FROM A YEAR AND ALLOWS THE PERSON AT ONE POINT TO SAY I WANT ONE HEARING TO SHOW I'M BETTER AND I WOULD LIKE MY WEAPONS BACK. ONE YEAR LATER THE WEAPON CAN BE ACHIEVED OR RENEWED IF THE PROCESS IS GONE THROUGH AGAIN.
TED SIMONS-THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. FROM THE OTHER SIDE WE HEAR THAT THESE THINGS EXIST. LET'S ENHANCE AND ENCOURAGE THE ENFORCEMENT OF WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS.
RANDALL FRIESE- NO, OTHER STATES HAVE THE RED FLAG LAWS OR EXTREME ORDERS OF PROTECTION. I HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK LAST WEEK ABOUT WHAT HE'S CALLING A STOP ORDER, A SEVERE THREAT ORDER OF PROTECTION WHICH ARIZONA SEEMS TO BE DEVELOPING ON ITS OWN. THERE ARE MODEL LEGISLATIONS OUT THERE TO SAY THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH AN ACUTE CHANGE IN MENTAL HEALTH OR A STRESSOR OR BEHAVIOR. LET'S MAKE SURE THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO WEAPONS BECAUSE VOLATILE THINGS HAPPEN.
TED SIMONS-THEY'LL SAY MAKE SURE SOMEONE IS ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. THEY WANT TEACHERS ARMED. THEY WANT FOLKS THERE TO PROTECT THE KIDS ARMED AND READY.
RANDALL FRIESE-I HAVE COMFORTABLE TO HEAR GOVERNOR DUCEY SAY HE DOESN'T WANT TO ARM TEACHERS. WE HAVE THE GRANT PROGRAM THAT PROP 301 PAYS FOR. THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE PROPERLY TRAINED. I BELIEVE THEY ARE. I BELIEVE IF WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE FUNDING, WE NEED TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IN SCHOOL. THAT'S WHO'S GOING TO NOTE THE KIDS THAT NEED HELP BEFORE THEY BECOME MASS MURDERS. THE LOCAL SRO THAT SHOULD BE THE SCHOOL BOARD DECISION. DO THEY WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON SOCIAL SERVICES? I WOULD LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.
TED SIMONS- THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, A PHOENIX ART EVENT IS CELEBRATING IT'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY.
Rep. Randall Friese: (R) Tucson
