Gun safety advocates again call on lawmakers to consider red flag law in NC
Proposed legislation would give a judge the power to take guns away from someone deemed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. Opponents say it would violate due process.
Posted — UpdatedYour browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
State Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, said it’s the fifth time in the past few years she’s held a news conference to highlight her proposal to give judges the power to take guns away from someone deemed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. Under House Bill 281, a petition could be filed by family members, police, current or former romantic partners or a healthcare provider.
If approved by a judge, the gun owner would be required to surrender all weapons and permits. If the gun owner doesn’t comply, law enforcement would have the power to seize them. A hearing would have to be held within 10 days to allow the owner to make their case to have their weapons returned.
Such proposals — known as “red flag laws” or “extreme risk protective orders” — are opposed by gun rights groups, who say they deprive gun owners of their right to due process.
A representative of Republican House leaders said Morey’s proposal is unlikely to move forward this session.
Speakers at Morey’s event voiced vehement opposition to that idea.
“Guns are the number one killer of children, teens and young adults in this country. The answer to this problem isn't adding more guns in more places,” said Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense national director Angela Ferrell-Zabala, “which is why it's so disgraceful that lawmakers here have been pushing permitless carry, a policy we know makes everyone less safe.”
“What would it look like for everyone to be able to carry a gun concealed?” said Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden. “I am worried.”
Most speakers also urged lawmakers to pass stronger requirements for safe storage.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.