National ‘Red Flag’ Law a Bad Idea

When the Senate returns from its break next week, its members intend to discover if there are any gun-control measures on which 60 senators can agree. Bipartisan talks are underway. They usually amount to nothing in this area — appropriately — but there is more buzz about their seriousness this time, with much of it around so-called “red flag” laws. These laws trigger the temporary confiscation of firearms when an individual is deemed a threat to himself or others.

We have urged states to consider such laws. If carefully crafted, they can provide law enforcement and families a tool to potentially prevent a disturbed person from acquiring firearms to carry out a devastating attack.

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When the Senate returns from its break next week, its members intend to discover if there are any gun-control measures on which 60 senators can agree. Bipartisan talks are underway. They usually amount to nothing in this area — appropriately — but there is more buzz about their seriousness this time, with much of it around so-called “red flag” laws. These laws trigger the temporary confiscation of firearms when an individual is deemed a threat to himself or others.

We have urged states to consider such laws. If carefully crafted, they can provide law enforcement and families a tool to potentially prevent a disturbed person from acquiring firearms to carry out a devastating attack.