07/11/2022

What Makes 'Red Flag' Gun Laws Work

They tend to be toothless unless they have a local champion

"Red flag" laws — which allow judges to confiscate guns from people who threaten violence — tend to be toothless unless they have a local champion: A sheriff, district attorney or other authority figure who makes it their business to teach people to use them effectively, experts say.

Why it matters: Coaxing states to implement red flag laws is a centerpiece of the gun bill that President Joe Biden recently signed.

• Similar laws already on the books in Illinois and New York didn't prevent the recent mass shootings in Highland Park and Buffalo.
• But research shows that when police officers, educators and community leaders are encouraged to use these laws and trained in their nuances, more court orders are filed that keep firearms away from potentially dangerous people.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Axios.