On average, one Colorado resident dies by firearm suicide every 16 hours.
After you hear that someone has died from gun suicide, you often hear about the warning signs. A Red Flag law would allow family members and law enforcement officers — often among the first to see those dangerous signs — to request an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) temporarily restricting the person's access to firearms when they pose a risk to themselves or others.
Tell lawmakers in Denver to pass a Red Flag bill and help address mass shootings and gun suicides in the Centennial State.
As your constituent, I'm calling on you to support HB19-1177, a bill which would give Colorado families and law enforcement officers a critical tool they need to keep their communities safe and prevent gun tragedies: a Red Flag law.
HB19-1177 would empower family members and law enforcement officers to ask a court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) temporarily blocking an individual's access to firearms when they pose a risk to themselves or others. Because family members and law enforcement officers are often among the first to see the warning signs of a potential tragedy, these bills would help address mass shootings and gun suicides.
Evidence shows that Extreme Risk Protection Orders can help prevent firearm suicides. In the ten years after Indiana passed its Red Flag law, the state's firearm suicide rate decreased by 7.5 percent. And ERPO legislation has seen bipartisan support — 13 states, including Florida and Illinois, have already enacted similar laws, and legislatures across the country are considering this potentially life-saving measure.
On average, one Colorado resident dies by firearm suicide every 16 hours. I hope you'll swiftly take action to pass HB19-1177.