Would “red flag laws” reduce number of shootings?

The aftermath of the mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde Texas, Philadelphia and other places around the country the last two weeks have followed a familiar pattern. Shock, outrage, calls for expansion of mental health resources and, of course, new gun laws. After every shooting, there seems to be a sense of this is the one that will result in action. Most often, it doesn’t and another news story comes along and diverts the attention.

One proposal that appears to have public support according to most polls and even bi-partisan political support is “extreme risk or red flag laws.”

Red Flag laws allow family members or law enforcement officials to prevent an individual from accessing a gun if they believe the person is in crisis.

Less than half the states in the country already have red flag laws and the states with the lowest firearm deaths rates fall into that category.

Pennsylvania doesn’t but Democratic State Senator Wayne Fontana of Allegheny County would like to see that change and is on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain why.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.