Rep. Susie Lee Votes to Pass Legislation to Empower Communities to Prevent Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) voted to pass legislation to help communities prevent incidents of gun violence before they occur. The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act empowers family members and law enforcement to seek a federal court order to temporarily remove access to guns from those who pose a danger to themselves or others, while incentivizing states to adopt their own extreme risk laws, also known as "red flag laws."
"Earlier this week, I was proud to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act, a robust package of gun violence prevention legislation to keep our children and communities safe," said Rep. Susie Lee "Today, I voted to pass another common-sense bill to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. Extreme Risk laws are a critical tool to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a risk to themselves or others. Nevada passed this type of law in 2019, and it has undoubtedly stopped tragedies in their tracks. This legislation will ensure that all states can use this tool to keep their communities safe."
In recent weeks, Americans have witnessed horrific mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York – and just this past weekend, at least thirteen mass shootings terrorized more communities across the country. A study by Everytown for Gun Safety found that most mass shooters exhibit warning signs before carrying out an attack. Without an extreme risk law, family and law enforcement lack the ability to temporarily disarm individuals considering acts of violence. Nevada passed its own Extreme Risk Protection Order law in 2019.
The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act will allow family members and law enforcement officers to petition a federal court for an extreme risk protection order, empowering federal judges to prevent tragic shootings by temporarily removing firearms from potentially dangerous individuals. Additionally, this legislation will establish a new grant program at the U.S. Department of Justice, incentivizing more states to allow their courts to take this same life-saving action.
Yesterday, Rep. Lee voted for the Protecting Our Kids Act, a robust legislative package of common-sense gun safety measures that will crack down on illegal gun trafficking, keep weapons of war out of the hands of teenagers, ban high-capacity magazines and bump stocks for civilian use, strengthen safe gun storage, impose background checks on untraceable "ghost guns" and more. This legislation builds on the Democratic House's twice-passed, widely-popular legislation to secure universal background checks for gun purchases and close the Charleston Loophole – action that is supported by nearly nine in ten Americans.
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