John Lott On ‘Folly’ Of So-Called Red Flag Laws

By Tom Knighton

AP Photo/John Locher, File

There’s a lot to dislike about red flag laws.

Oh, relatively few take issue with the idea of taking guns away temporarily from people who may be dangerous. The problem is that the bar for taking away someone’s guns–depriving them of property without due process–is so ridiculously low.

John Lott wrote at the Washington Times earlier this week about some of the problems with these laws.

Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams in Colorado made news Monday over his willingness to go to jail over his refusal to enforce what will soon be the state’s new “Red Flag” law.

Given the news media plays these laws, also known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders, as being so sensible, Sheriff Reams looks like a kooky right-winger. After all, who could be against taking away guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others?

But the laws are more complicated than usually discussed in the press. Depending upon the state, anyone from a family member, intimate partner, ex, house or apartment mates, or police can file a complaint. Under Colorado’s proposed law, anyone can make a phone call to the police. They don’t even have …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms