Why Red Flag Laws Are A Red Herring Denying The Real Problem And Real Solutions To Gun Violence

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Are you familiar with the term “red herring?” If you’re not, Wikipedia says that it is “something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important question,” and that is exactly what red flag laws are: a distraction from the real issue.

See, those who support red flag laws see it as a way to get guns out of the hands of dangerous people who would use those firearms against other people so that fewer shootings take place. When that is an honest intention, the intended outcome is admirable, but, putting aside the complete unConstitutionality of red flag laws, the problem is that red flag laws don’t do what they are intended to do. John Lott writes,

Despite the sacrifices, the evidence shows no benefits from these laws. Looking at data from 1970 through 2017, Red Flag laws appear to have had no significant effect on murder, suicide, the number of people killed in mass public shootings, robbery, aggravated assault or burglary. There is some evidence that rape rates rise. These laws apparently do not save lives.

It sounds crazy, right? I mean, taking away guns from people who are dangerous should make a difference, but, like so many things in life, what seems to make sense doesn’t make sense when you understand the bigger context.

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See, those pushing red flag laws assume that immediate access to a firearm is what causes people to commit gun crimes. As if most people commit homicidal shootings on a whim out of anger in a blind rage. But the statistics don’t say that.

No, the statistics say that easy access to a gun isn’t the problem.

So, what is the problem? That is worth investigating. Personally, I believe that the problem has to do with things like the devaluing of human life in our culture and with people with anger issues not being afraid enough of other people (it is that fear of other people which make defensive gun use effective even if no shot is ever fired. It’s the fear of getting shot that stops the would-be shooter.). But, I’ll admit, there may be other factors, or I may be completely wrong.

What is abundantly clear for anyone taking the time to review the data is that red flag laws don’t work, and, in fact, can have the effect of making people less safe.

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15 COMMENTS

  1. No matter what anti-gunners say the reason is, the truth is the anti-gunners have been brainwashed by the “Deep State” into believing guns are evil and should be restricted to military and law enforcement ONLY! What they don’t realize, is the fact that when the American citizen has no firearm, the American citizen is no longer a citizen of a free country! The only deterrent to a complete government tyranny is an armed citizenry. Why do you think the powers that be are trying so hard to repeal the Second Amendment and ban guns in citizens hands?

    • A huge AMEN to that!! Evil minded people will always find a way to kill any one…gun or no gun. Americans want to protect themselves and their families have a right to do so! It’s hard to beat off anyone trying to rob you or what other evil thing they have planned…a gun sends a firm message!

    • And to follow that up those same clowns who want to take away guns from decent people who’ve NEVER caused a problem are the very same pukes who go around saying police have no obligation to protect us. IF you want to fix this problem deal with the Democrats who spew their hate garbage and get their minions to act out. All of the shootings have been done by their minions. A long term step is to get rid of the liberal influence in child rearing and education. I’ve seen their influence in raising children to be old whiny children with the hate to do these dastardly acts.

  2. YOU , sir, are spot on!!! Mr Trump needs to back off of his push for RED FLAG LAWS or the anti-gunners in the swamp are going to fall over themselves to pass it and end up starting a revolution NO ONE will want..” WHEN GUNS ARE OUTLAWED, ONLY OUTLAWS WILL HAVE GUNS” !!

  3. Red flag laws never work. Where were the red flags waved in Philadelphia when a criminal shot 6 police officers? Call me racist, but the shooter should have been caged years ago.

  4. Red Flag laws, and ALL other legislation of their ilk, are STANDARD FARE for CARD CARRYING COMMUNISTS, such as PELOSI, REID, SCHUMER, and the rest of their PARTNERS IN CRIME. Folks, the FACTS are plainly visible!! In 1944, the Democratic Party ACCEPTED EVERY PLANK of Communist Manifestos I and Ii, AS WRITTEN BY MARX!!

    Communist global agenda DEMANDS that the People be DISARMED, so that their agenda can go forward!! HOW our SUPPOSEDLY CONSERVATIVE President has jumped into bed with the COMMUNISTS on Red Flag Confiscation Orders is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE, AND TREASONOUS!

    WE THE PEOPLE CANNOT, AND MUST NOT CAPITULATE to these orders. We MUST make a CONCRETE STATEMENT OPPOSING THIS USURPATION OF OUR RIGHTS!! OUR ONLY OPTION is to FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL, WHENEVER THE U.N./COMMUNIST DOOR KICKERS COME TO YOUR HOME!! Their actions MUST be ruled as PATENTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, CRIMINAL ACTS, AND DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY. Whenever they show up, TREAT THEM LIKE THE CRIMINALS THEY ARE!! LOCK ‘N LOAD PATRIOTS!! YOUR RIGHTS HANG IN THE BALANCE!!

  5. I agree – I was all for red flag laws —invisioning a grandmother able to save a high school crowd because she reported her grandson’s access to guns and his absolute LIVID anger at some kids. However, she should already do that and authorities can already cope with threats when known ahead of time. Then I began to think of all the people reporting someone is “unstable, making threats, etc.” when they are just “pissed” at someone. THAT is DANGEROUS too…It is a difficult decision yet we must all consider that ONE freedom taken away makes it that much easier to take away a second, then a third and fourth, etc until we become an enslaved country with NO rights…

  6. IF there was a true red flag law we wouldn’t have the Demonrats to contend with. Their minions are doing the shootings yet they’re after all those who haven’t been involved instead of addressing the real problems that have been created by their own people. Where is our justice department????

  7. Like all gun control laws, “Red Flag” laws, are unconstitutional, but more so, and more dangerous, as they’ve resulted in the murder of law abiding gun owners in every state that has enacted them, by the police when they come to confiscate the person’s guns for no good reason. “Red Flag” laws are an invitation to criminals to disarm the victim prior to committing the crime. They punish a person without due process, and without being informed in advance. Gun control laws are not intended to decrease violence, only disarm the populace, that’s why the Demonrats got gun free shooting galleries enacted, so that mentally unstable people could be enabled by leftwing Demonratic rhetoric to go out on a shooting spree safely, giving them an excuse to pass more laws for the bad guys to ignore, while punishing the law abiding.

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