Senator Lindsey Graham announced Monday his plan to introduce ‘Red Flag’ legislation in the US Senate; saying the bipartisan measure could gain support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
The bill would create a federal grant program, providing funds to states to introduce ‘Red Flag’ laws that allow law enforcement to remove firearms from those deemed a “threat to themselves or others.”
“Graham, in a statement, said he has reached a deal with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on a bill that would start a federal grant program to help and encourage states to create ‘red flag’ protection order laws, which are meant to make it easier for law enforcement to identify mentally ill people who should be banned from purchasing guns,” reports The Hill.
“These grants will be given to law enforcement so they can hire and consult with mental health professionals to better determine which cases need to be acted upon. This grant program also requires robust due process and judicial review. It does allow for quick action,” Graham said in the statement.
The legislation comes days after two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio took the lives of more than 30 Americans simply going about their day-to-day lives.
“I appreciate President Trump’s strong statement rejecting hate and white supremacist ideology, urging us all to reject a culture of violence, as well as a call to action on multiple fronts,” Graham added.
“We will be finalizing the details for this bill and reaching out to colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the coming days and weeks. I look forward to introducing final legislation with Senator Graham in the very near future,” Blumenthal said.
Read the full report at The Hill.
DEATH TOLL RISES: El Paso Shooting Fatalities Now 22 After Two Victims Die at Hospital
The number of Americans murdered at a mass shooting in Walmart Saturday now stands at 22 after two additional victims died at an El Paso hospital Monday morning.
“Two more victims of Saturday’s mass shooting in El Paso died on Monday morning, raising the number of fatalities in the massacre to 22, officials said,” reports Fox News. “The mass shooting — one of the deadliest in modern U.S. history — unfolded at a Walmart around 11 a.m. Saturday, as 21-year-old suspect Patrick Crusius, allegedly opened fire in the store, initially killing at least 20 and injuring another 26.”
Crusius was charged with capital murder and the FBI is handling the case as an act of “Domestic Terrorism.” If convicted, the government could use the death penalty.
“The loss of life is so great, we certainly have never seen this in our community. We are a very safe community,” said El Paso District Attorney Jaime Esparza. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we’re so safe, and certainly this community is rocked, shocked and saddened by what has happened here yesterday.”
President Trump addressed the American people from the White House Monday morning after a weekend of deadly gun violence; offering condolences to the victims and their families and calling for stricter background checks and red flag laws across the United States.
“We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain. Likewise for those so seriously wounded. We can never forget them, and those many who came before them. Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!” posted the President on social media.
….this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019
“I’ve been in close consultation with Attorney General Barr. We are conducting a methodical investigation… With a view towards bringing federal hate crime charges and federal firearm charges which carry the penalty of death,” said the US District Attorney. “We’re also treating this as a domestic terrorism case.”
“We’re going to do what we do to terrorists in this country, which is to deliver swift and certain justice,” added the Attorney.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We ‘Cannot Let Those Killed Die in Vain,’ US Needs ‘Strong Background Checks’
President Trump addressed the American people from the White House Monday morning after a weekend of deadly gun violence; offering condolences to the victims and their families and calling for stricter background checks and red flag laws across the United States.
“We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain. Likewise for those so seriously wounded. We can never forget them, and those many who came before them. Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!” posted the President on social media.
….this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019
The El Paso shooting at a Walmart over the weekend is now being investigated as an act of “Domestic Terrorism” and could carry the death penalty for 21-year-old suspect Patrick Crusius.
“I’ve been in close consultation with Attorney General Barr. We are conducting a methodical investigation… With a view towards bringing federal hate crime charges and federal firearm charges which carry the penalty of death,” said the US District Attorney. “We’re also treating this as a domestic terrorism case.”
The gunman opened fire at a crowded Walmart in west Texas Saturday; killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more. The wounded range from the age of two to 82.
“We’re going to do what we do to terrorists in this country, which is to deliver swift and certain justice,” added the Attorney.
“You have to see it for yourself,” said El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen. “When I first got into this job, I never knew there was an odor to blood, but there is. And until you first hand see that, as far as my description of it, horrific would be unserving as far as what that scene looks like.”
Read the full story here.
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