State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery, announced on Feb. 21 his plan to introduce legislation to help families and law enforcement to better prevent suicides and gun violence. Stephens’ bill would create an “extreme-risk protective order” that would allow a court to take the precautions necessary when provided with clear and convincing evidence the subject poses an extreme risk to himself or herself or others.

“It is clear that we must do more to address the issues arising from those with mental health issues who pose a threat to themselves or others,” said Stephens, a former federal firearms prosecutor, in a statement on the state House of Representatives Republican caucus website. “We must create a way for family members or law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms or ammunition, and to relinquish any firearms or ammunition they may currently have, to prevent them from doing harm.”