DOJ Announces New National Red Flag Initiative - Check to See If Your State Is Involved

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a website aimed at facilitating the use of existing "red flag" laws to remove individuals' gun rights, announcing a partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions to create the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center.

Attorney General Merrick Garland introduced the new "tool," stating, "This launch will provide our partners across the country with valuable resources to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others."

The online platform includes links to the 21 states and Washington, D.C., with "red flag" laws, allowing visitors to access resources for utilizing the courts to temporarily or permanently seize lawfully owned firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.

States with these laws include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

The DOJ highlighted that the center will offer training and assistance to various stakeholders involved in implementing these laws, such as law enforcement officials, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, and behavioral health professionals.

Garland emphasized the potential impact of the resource center, stating, "The establishment of the Center is the latest example of the Justice Department’s work to use every tool provided by the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to protect communities from gun violence."

However, the initiative faced criticism from numerous House and Senate Republicans, who likened it to an unconstitutional infringement on gun rights.

The White House applauded the launch of the website, urging the 29 states without red flag laws to enact such legislation. The administration claimed that red flag laws have been effective in preventing mass shootings and suicides but noted the importance of public awareness about these tools.

The funding for the DOJ's resource center comes from the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which advocated for expanded background checks and garnered support from Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.