States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won’t pass them (copy)

Red-flag laws have languished in most statehouses across the U.S., despite bipartisan support and evidence that temporarily removing guns from people who pose an extreme risk of violence to themselves or others can help prevent mass shootings, suicides and domestic violence.

Lawmakers in 31 states have not passed — and in most cases are not likely to pass — red-flag laws, even as most of those states recently received millions in federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that aimed to help them create and implement the so-called extreme risk protection order programs.

Red-flag laws are already on the books in 19 states, and Michigan’s legislature recently passed a red-flag law that is awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature.

Most states without a red-flag law either noted in their federal funding  application that they don’t intend to pass one or top lawmakers there have previously stated their opposition. 

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In some cases, the states applied for and were approved for funding despite the fact that their congressional delegations voted against the legislation that supplied the money.

The funding was announced just weeks before an armed assailant fired 152 rounds at the Covenant

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