On Friday, lawmakers returned to the Capitol prepared to prioritize common-sense gun legislation, starting with Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) legislation, also known as Red Flag Laws, empower law enforcement and family members to seek a court order to temporarily block a person from having guns if they are a danger to themselves or others.
This type of legislation gained traction in the wake of the Parkland shooting, where 14 students and three staff members were shot and killed. Thirteen states have enacted Red Flag Laws, including eight in 2018 alone.
“Coloradans are tired of living with the consequences of inaction. They are marching in the streets and taking to the halls of this building. And they are demanding action on gun sense legislation,” said House Speaker KC Becker during a joint session on Friday. “That means we will work to pass the life-saving Extreme Risk Protection Order bill to prevent tragedies before they happen.”
The bill is expected to be sponsored by newly-elected Representative Tom Sullivan (D-Aurora), whose son Alex was shot and killed in the Aurora Theater shooting in 2012. Representative Sullivan was an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and is a member of the Everytown Survivor Network.
If you have any questions concerning Red Flag Laws or would like to speak to a Colorado volunteer with Moms Demand Action, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
###