Post by bazooka on Sept 3, 2019 2:14:28 GMT
Red Flag Laws
Gun Control in America: A Historic Guide to Major Federal ActsAs of 2018, the push for red flag gun confiscation orders has made its way to Washington D.C. With anti-gun Democrats taking control of the House, the political dynamics in Congress could change considerably. Not only that, but they also have bipartisan support. Several Senators stand out:
Lindsey Graham: South Carolina Senator Graham introduced a red flag bill earlier in 2018. The 116th Congress is approaching fast and it appears that Graham plans on working across the aisle with Democrats to craft red flag legislation. Graham has gone on record stating that red flag legislation is the “place where we begin a long-overdue discussion about firearms and mental health. But we must start.”
Marco Rubio: Quick to demonstrate that he was willing to do something in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, Marco Rubio threw his hat in the ring by sponsoring a red flag bill along with Democrat Senators Joe Manchin, Bill Nelson, and Jack Reed.
Rick Scott: Florida’s new Senator Rick Scott has shown his willingness to compromise on gun control despite his ostensibly pro-gun rhetoric. Scott signed SB 7026, the largest expansion of gun control in Florida in recent history. Scott’s SB 7026 includes red flag provisions, raises the age to buy a firearm to 21, and mandates a three-day waiting period for all firearms purchases.
Jared Polis: Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB19-1177 into law on Friday, April 12, 2019. With Polis' signature, Colorado became the 15th state to enact a “red flag” law. Once a relatively pro-gun state, Colorado has taken an anti-gun turn since the Aurora movie theater shooting in 2012, where James Holmes killed 12 people. Colorado’s passage of a “red flag” only reinforces this trend.
The Trump Administration’s Commission on School Safety released a report recommending red flag laws as a means to “address school safety and violence.”
With red flag laws already in effect in some states as of 2018, law enforcement is starting to seize gun owners’ firearms. Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights was candid in his analysis of red flag laws, stating that authorities can seize individuals’ guns “simply on the pretense of a ‘tip’ from someone you may not even know.”