The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Saturday the creation of a new organization to train state and local officials on procedures for applying “red flag” laws that temporarily prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms.
The National Emergency Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center is an organization established under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Program (OJP) to educate and assist local public officials in initiating legal proceedings.red flagAccording to the Department of Justice, “an order revoking an individual’s right to bear arms based on a belief that possessing a weapon poses a risk of harm to self or others.” press release. The target audience for the training is “law enforcement officers, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim assistance and social service providers, community organizations, and behavioral health professionals.” (Related: Democrats seek deep restrictions on gun rights in 2023)
“With the launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center, we are empowering partners across the country to help keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press release. “This will provide valuable resources.” . “The creation of the Center is the latest example of the Department of Justice’s commitment to leveraging all the tools provided by the landmark bipartisan Safer Communities Act to protect communities from gun violence. ”
Department of Justice opens National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center
🔗: https://t.co/xH1deJu4SB pic.twitter.com/zUj0woxwrf
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) March 23, 2024
Red Flag Orders (ERPOs) have previously been supported by gun control advocacy groups.
“Gun violence is a complex problem that requires comprehensive solutions. It’s a helpful, evidence-based tool.” Gun Control; I have written on that website.
ERPOs are issued by state courts in civil cases to prevent people from purchasing or possessing firearms who are believed to have the potential to use them to harm themselves or others, the press release said. explained. Twenty-one states, including Washington, D.C., have passed such laws.
“OJP’s investment in the ERPO program demonstrates the Department’s commitment to addressing the gun violence crisis in the United States,” Assistant Attorney General Amy Solomon said in a press release. “This crisis cannot be solved by one level of government alone. We are leveraging all our resources and working together at the federal, state, and local levels to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions to keep America’s communities safe.” We have to find comprehensive solutions.”
Measures like ERPO are opposed by conservative groups who say they are being abused to take away individual rights under the U.S. Constitution. Second AmendmentThis provides that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
“So-called ‘red flag’ orders, or emergency risk protection orders; “It is intended to give the government the power to confiscate Americans’ firearms without due process of law,” said the National Rifle Association Legislative Action Institute. I have written “In addition to allowing common bad actors to harbor personal grudges against law-abiding gun owners, in the current political environment these laws allow the government to violate the First Amendment. “It would be possible to target people whose political views are protected by Article 1.” The government opposes this. ”
The regulatory commission did not respond to requests for comment.
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