Illinois Congresswoman Bustos Votes to Prevent Gun Violence by Expanding Red Flag Laws
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted for the bipartisan Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act to empower communities to prevent gun violence before it occurs. This legislation 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 “red flag laws.”
“Cracking down on the rampant gun violence taking lives across our country means keeping guns away from those who pose a threat to themselves or others,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “Extreme risk laws are already saving lives in 19 states. By empowering federal courts to help keep deadly weapons out of dangerous hands, we can protect our families and our communities.”
The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act would 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. This legislation would also 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, Congresswoman Bustos voted to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act – a bipartisan package of commonsense bills aimed to address a rising tide of gun violence across the country.