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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: SF1900 on April 14, 2018, 12:50:00 PM
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https://www.dallasnews.com/news/guns/2018/04/04/trumps-support-texas-democrat-takes-red-flag-gun-laws-again
AUSTIN — A measure that would temporarily remove guns from people who show signs of violence has failed for years in Texas, but that could change in 2019 with President Donald Trump pressuring states to pass the legislation.
So-called “red flag” gun laws aren’t new in the Lone Star State, where Sen. José Rodríguez, an El Paso Democrat, has unsuccessfully pushed for the legislation since 2015. His measure would allow family members or attorneys to petition judges to temporarily prohibit potentially dangerous people from owning, buying or controlling guns.
But Rodríguez is cautiously optimistic that 2019 could be different in Texas. Last month, the Trump administration called on every state to adopt their own “extreme risk protection orders” and directed the Department of Justice to assist them.
"Frankly, I'll believe it when I see it," Rodríguez said of the White House's support. "But it is good that they're talking about these types of protective orders."
Rodríguez’s proposed legislation, authored by El Paso Rep. Joe Moody in the House, followed other states’ red flag gun laws. California, Oregon, Washington, Indiana and Connecticut have adopted the laws, and Florida recently added a similar measure as part of its comprehensive school safety package in early March.
The gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety reports that 22 state legislatures are considering similar bills in the wake of the Florida high school shooting, after it was revealed that multiple people told law enforcement that they were concerned about Nikolas Cruz.
Red flags that could temporarily block an individual from accessing firearms in Texas’ proposed bill include substance abuse, a history of threatening violence or a criminal record.
Under Rodríguez and Moody’s legislation, the order would be issued for one year and could be renewed for an additional year after a hearing. A hearing could be requested after the order has been in effect for 90 days.
“This is just one tool or one approach in trying to address the incredible levels of violence in our society,” Rodríguez said.
State advocates such as the pro-gun control group Texas Gun Sense and the Texas Municipal Police Association backed Rodríguez’s 2017 bill, saying the measure could lower the number of suicides, mass shootings and murders committed by a firearm in Texas. But the Texas State Rifle Association, a gun advocacy group, called it an “anti-gun bill” and celebrated its failure.
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“Take the guns first, go through due process second”
- Billionaire named Trump