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Costa Votes to Enact Federal Red Flag Laws

June 9, 2022

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa, Chairman, and Co-Founder of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2377 - Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act to authorize and establish procedures for federal courts to issue extreme risk protection orders, also known as "red flag laws."

"Red flag laws save lives by ensuring that those who pose a threat to themselves, or others do not have access to firearms," said Costa. "We know there are early warning signs of gun violence that, if addressed, could prevent an attack. Data shows California red flag laws work. I am proud to support this legislation to protect our communities and help save lives."

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act would keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others by implementing a national extreme risk law and encouraging states to enact extreme risk laws.

Only 19 states and the District of Columbia have extreme risk protection order laws. This bill would make it easier for states to enact these life-saving laws.

California became one of the first states in the nation to enact a red flag law in 2016. In 2021, it was ranked as the No. 1 state for gun safety by Giffords Law Center, and the state saw a 37% lower gun death rate than the national average. According to the CDC, California's gun death rate was the 44th lowest in the nation.

The full text of the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order can be found here.

A fact sheet of the bill can be found here.