Reed sponsors bill to reward states for 'Red Flag' policies

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Sen. Jack Reed will help introduce a bipartisan proposal to give incentives to states that adopt "Red Flag" policies for removing guns from dangerous individuals through a process that respects due process rights.

Reed agreed to join U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in proposing the Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act, according to a news release.

The proposed law aims to help “keep guns out of the hands of individuals that a court deems dangerous to themselves or others,” the release says, adding that more than 20 states either already have such the policy in place or are pursuing it.

In Rhode Island, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo issued an executive order to put the policy in place while state lawmakers work on legislation.

“I think, among the things that we could do after Parkland, one of the most effective is a gun violence restraining order,” said Rubio. “Basically the police or a family member who thinks someone is dangerous can go to court. They can get a court order, and they can take that person’s guns away and keep them from buying new ones.”

The bill “doesn’t force states to act, but rewards and supports states that do,” said Reed.

Under the process sanctioned by the grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, an order for the removal of a gun or to block a person from purchasing a gun cannot exceed 12 months. It can also be renewed if the court receives clear and convincing evidence that the person should not have a gun. The person also has a right to request a hearing to remove the order.

“Red and blue states alike have been out front on this issue,” Reed said.

“We must come together and do more to prevent gun violence, and passing this bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction,” he said.