Several states have passed or proposed "red flag" bills in recent years with the stated goal of reducing gun violence. Curious what this legislation is? We were too, so we found the answers.
What is a "red flag" bill?
Here's how Annie Petersen, Director of Officials Research explains it:
"Red flag bills are a form of gun control. They allow family members or police to petition a court to order the removal of firearms from someone who is perceived to be a threat to themselves or others. Following the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, many state legislatures have proposed red flag legislation."
Have my legislators voted on a "red flag" bill?
We've been tracking instances where a "red flag" bill has passed at least one chamber of the legislature. That's happened in 2018 or 2019 in Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Looking for more about guns? Just click here.
What about the rest of the country?
See what the 2020 Presidential candidates have said about red flag bills on the campaign trail.
There may be some bipartisan support for national red flag legislation. See what Sen. Lindsey Graham recently said about a bill (scroll down to highlighted text).
You can also see all statements made by congressional legislators about red flag legislation here.