John,

This week, the U.S. House passed sweeping gun control legislation to protect our communities from the horrors of mass shootings and gun violence. One important aspect of that bill, which has a chance of passing in the Senate, is called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, also known as “red flag laws.”

Red flag laws allow the courts to temporarily remove access to firearms for anyone who poses a threat to themselves or others. According to a report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, the top five states with the lowest gun death rate all have an Extreme Risk Protection Order law in place.

Don’t let the Senate get away without taking action. Send a letter to your senators right now to pass red flag laws now!

These laws allow family members or law enforcement to petition the court to protect someone who is suicidal from themselves or protect others from a domestic abuser, to name two of the most common uses. Proponents believe it could’ve been used to block the Uvalde murderer from keeping his gun or from buying it in the first place if he had been reported for his frightening social media posts and direct messages threatening mass violence.

The vast majority of Americans overwhelmingly want legislation passed that will tackle the epidemic of gun violence. And, while we need additional tools at our disposal such as a ban on assault weapons and enhanced background checks, we simply need our elected leaders to act to protect our families, schools and communities. And, in this case, we have a real chance to pass red flag laws, which are proven to save lives.

Click here to send a message directly to your U.S. senators demanding action to prevent gun violence.

Thank you for all that you do to protect our communities from the heart wrenching gun violence epidemic plaguing our country.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs