- In the United States, a red flag law is a type of gun control law that gives law enforcement or family members the ability to petition a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from a person who may be a danger to themselves or to others.
- These individuals believe that the individual in question poses an unreasonable risk of harming themselves or others.
- The court decides whether or not to grant the order after considering the gun owner in question’s remarks as well as the activities he or she has taken.
What is a red flag gun law?
- Red flag gun laws are state laws that allow a judge to order the police to temporarily confiscate firearms and ammunition from people who are deemed to pose a danger to themselves as well as to others.
- These individuals may include people who have a history of mental illness, domestic violence, or substance abuse.
- The order can be requested by those who are worried about the behavior of a suspected person of interest, including friends, family members, police enforcement, and medical experts.
Do red flag laws infringe on constitutional rights?
Although many police chiefs have openly backed red flag legislation, there are some law enforcement leaders who believe that they violate constitutional rights and would create a costly new obligation to keep weapons. These individuals disagree these claims.