In the wake of recent mass shootings in America, President Donald Trump, Sens. Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, and many other congressmen are encouraging the implementation of ERPO- Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also referred to as the “Red Flag Law” in America. This gun violence prevention law is believed to be a way to make society a much safer place. Researchers say this will not only reduce mass shooting, murder, and racial violence happening in the country, but will also reduce the suicide rate and accidental deaths by firearms. One of the major causes of death among children in America is injuries from guns.
Having guns at home, supposedly, gives a sense of safety, hence many households in America have guns at their homes as a “safety measure”. Being so easily available means almost everyone has access to one of the most dangerous weapons, which resultantly increases the risk of gun violence in society. The Red Flag law permits removal or confiscation of firearms from people who may pose a threat to others or themselves by certain authority figures such as family members, police, or the state court, without needing the person to be present there “ex parte”.
Like every other law, there are drawbacks in this one too. People opposing this law say that confiscation of ammunition may be risky to the life of the person in possession of the gun. Though the confiscation is only temporary, reports show a visible drop in suicide rate using guns after the implementation of the Red Flag law in 15 states. To reduce the rate of gun violence further, the Duke Professor, Sawson, recommends that other measures be clubbed with the Red Flag law, such as suppression of gun traffickers.
Disha Mazumder
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