Red Flags
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In 2020, while in New York’s Central Park, Amy Cooper called 911 to report an “African-American man” was threatening her. The man, a bird watcher, had asked Ms. Cooper to leash her dog. She refused and called 911. The man, whose last name was also Cooper, recorded the incident, which went viral and cost Amy Cooper her job. She also got charged with a crime, though it was later dismissed at the urging of Mr. Cooper, the bird watcher.
Late last week, in Raliegh, NC, Wye Hill, a restaurant and brewery, canceled a reservation for a group of conservative moms who were going to get together at the restaurant. An online progressive activist who calls herself “Katherine 4 Justice” went online to take credit for pressuring the restaurant into canceling the reservation through the use of vague threats.
Yesterday, Rep. Eric Swalwell took to Twitter to suggest Ben Shapiro is a lunatic and that a red flag law could be used to stop Shapiro from purchasing a gun.
The Senate is currently considering red flag laws as part of its measures on gun control.
Red flag laws are designed to allow the police, based on a court order, to confiscate the guns of citizens and prevent people from buying guns based on concerns of family, friends, coworkers, or others who have concerns about an individual.
I am deeply concerned that such laws are going to start being used to attack people because of their political opinions. The left has concluded words are violence. I fear red flag laws will be weaponized by partisans over differences of political opinion.
Given our present politics, people’s willingness to view opponents as enemies, and people’s willingness to use the state, private enterprise, and the mob to exact retribution on those they disagree with, I think we should fundamentally resist a federal red flag law or a federal incentive to embrace red flag laws. It will be abused. Likewise, given we have seen more and more prosecutors refuse to prosecute due to the prosecutors’ convictions, I do not think we can honestly trust the enforcement of a provision that would punish those for abuse of red flag laws.
I find many parts of the compromise legislation reasonable, including using the juvenile criminal justice record of an 18-21 year old in background checks.
Unfortunately, I think red flag laws will be weaponized, costing an individual time, money, and more to exercise his second amendment rights.
I would urge the Senate to drop the red flag laws from the legislation and I would urge Republicans to oppose it.
Red Flags
I support these laws, but concede your fears are legitimate. When passing novel legislation, why don't we include a sunset clause in 5 or 10 years, so if your position is correct the law will expire, but be given a fair trial. The 2nd Amendment does not say every Yosemite Sam has a right to a rootin' tootin' good time and the public be damned, it says the States need a well regulated militia and an armed trustworthy citizenry is needed to provide that on short notice.
Of course red flag laws will be weaponized against those with political beliefs unacceptable to the left. McConnell knew this would be a hard sell to most senators and put the 10 most likely to go along with the Democrats on the case. They know better, know it will be used against conservatives and other law abiding citizens, but insist on doing it anyhow. I cannot for the life of me figure out why they compromise our rights away.