Red Flag Law Seizes Guns from those Deemed Dangerous
The red flag law looks to curb gun violence following a string of school shootings.
- By Sydny Shepard
- September 14, 2018
The conversation about how to curb gun violence in the United States continued in the capitol of Arkansas this week. Rep. Greg Leding and Sen. Will Bond have drafted their own "red flag law" which would temporarily seize guns from Arkansans who are deemed dangerous.
Connecticut has had a red flag law on the books since 1999. Twelve more states have jumped on board since, most after the Parkland mass shooting in February.
"It's an awful feeling," Leding said during the latest Joint Performance Review meeting. "It was an awfully familiar feeling."
As the effects of the Florida school shooting rang out across the country, the lawmakers in Arkansas sought out a solution.
"There's not a mechanism to short circuit access to weapons," Bond said. "That's what this bill would do."
Their legislation would allow family members, friends and police to ask judges to issue temporary restraining orders on gun owners if they appear to pose a threat to themselves or others.
"No prohibition on access to firearms is ever permanent under these laws," Leding said.
Law enforcement would take away the weapons for 72 hours, then a judge would decide to give the weapons back or extend the temporary restriction.
"We want to make sure that when we ask talking about constitutional rights that we move as quickly as possible because due process is a very key component of any red flag legislation," Leding said.
Unlike other states, the bill would punish people who falsely report a gun owner. They would face a felony.
The Trump Administration and the NRA have thrown their support behind red flag laws. The ACLU has come out against them, worrying they could harm more gun owners than intended.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.