Kirsten Gillibrand wants to strengthen Red Flag Laws.
New York’s junior senator has introduced the Fair Legal Access Grants (FLAG) Act which would make federal funding available to those who file Extreme Risk Orders of Protection petitions for legal representation, counsel, and resources needed to be heard and successfully file an ERPO.
Gillibrand claims the process to file a petition is lengthy and burdensome, deterring people from filing them.
ERPOs or Red Flag laws, allow firearms to be seized from those deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
“Strengthening red flag laws across the country will help make our communities safer – period. All too often, school administrators, law enforcement officers, and everyday people don’t have the time or support needed to navigate our court system and successfully file a red flag claim when they notice an individual with access to firearms exhibiting troubling or potentially dangerous behavior,” said Senator Gillibrand. “My FLAG Act would provide petitioners with legal representation, translation services, and other vital tools needed to see their claim through and help remove guns from those looking to cause harm to themselves or others. So many of us want to perform our civic duty to help keep our communities safe, and this groundbreaking bill will help ensure our voices are heard in the fight to end firearm tragedies.”
The bill has been introduced in the house by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-28)
“To keep guns out of the hands of those who are a clear danger to themselves or others and to protect communities across the country, everyone in America needs equal access to gun safety and prevention strategies. I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sen. Gillibrand on efforts to strengthen and expand access to ‘red flag’ laws with proven effectiveness at decreasing gun deaths,” said Representative Chu. “The Fair Legal Access Grants, or FLAG Act, would assist family members and other community members in navigating the complicated legal system when seeking to temporarily disarm someone showing signs of violence. By ensuring more communities have buy-in to prevent gun violence, we will help honor the Americans we’ve lost in cities and towns across the country—including my hometown of Monterey Park.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed her support for the proposed legislation.
“Removing guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others is a commonsense way to protect our communities,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “In New York, extreme risk protection orders have removed thousands of guns from troubling environments and helped avert tragedies. My office has stepped up to meet the increased demand for ERPOs by representing the State Troopers in these cases, but we need to provide the same support to concerned citizens who are trying to sound the alarm. Senator Gillibrand’s FLAG bill will do just that and will ensure that people can effectively remove guns from dangerous situations and help save lives.”
