In Michigan, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a plan establishing what are conventionally known as extreme risk protection orders. Legal frameworks providing for such orders are also known as red flag laws.
In short, the system allows for concerned third parties to pursue court action to temporarily restrict access to firearms for individuals who are suspected of posing a danger to themselves or others. In incidents of mass violence, there have sometimes been circumstances ahead of the attack where such intervention with the perpetrator could have been critical. Despite the insinuation otherwise in Republican complaints about gun control measures, it’s just not the case that the firearms used in mass shootings or similar acts of violence have all or almost all been obtained illegally or something. In Uvalde, Texas, where an attacker shot and killed 19 children and multiple adults, a long gun used in that attack was obtained legally, and the examples continue.
In Michigan, categories of people who will be able to go after the risk protection orders evidently include police officers, health care professionals, and family members, such as a spouse of the subject of the restrictions being sought. “Extreme risk protection orders have been proven to reduce suicides, save lives, and keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and violent criminals,” Whitmer said in prepared remarks. “I am proud to sign this legislation to keep Michiganders safe, and I want to thank my partners in the legislature for getting this done, the advocates who fought so hard to make this happen, and every Michigander who works hard to build safe communities where everyone can thrive.”
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat, sponsored a key bill in the legislative package that Whitmer recently signed. Overall, nearly two dozen states already have red flag laws enacted in their own rules, according to the state legislator. “Today, we take action to save lives, protect kids, families, and communities, and end gun violence,” McMorrow recently commented. “The data is clear that extreme risk protection orders are a commonsense, effective tool to keep guns out of the hands of those who may hurt themselves or others and are already employed by 19 states across the country. Let’s celebrate and be thankful for the progress we’ve made—the result of nearly a decade of work—and continue working together to save lives here in Michigan.”
This win was facilitated in substantial part by Democrats nabbing control of Michigan’s legislature and governorship in last year’s midterm elections. The party did the same in nearby Minnesota, where officials have since also put their own red flag laws into motion. Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz has signed that state’s similar framework into law.
The featured image was made available by the governor’s office.
