Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed Sen. Lindsey Graham’s latest ‘Red Flag’ gun proposal Wednesday; calling the legislation nothing more than an “ineffective cop out” in combating mass shootings.
“The notion that passing a tepid version of an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) bill—alone—is even close to getting the job done in addressing rampant gun violence in the U.S. is wrong and would be an ineffective cop out,” Schumer said in a statement.
“[Democrats] are not going to settle for half-measures so Republicans can feel better and try to push the issue of gun violence off to the side,” he added.
Schumer’s comments come as the bill -authorized by Senators Graham and Blumenthal- gains support in both Houses of Congress.
“A bipartisan proposal by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is gaining momentum following weekend mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left 31 people dead. The emerging plan would create a federal grant program to encourage states to adopt ‘red flag’ laws to take guns away from people believed to be dangers to themselves or others,” reports the Associated Press.
“A similar bill never came up for a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate last year, but both parties express hope that this year will be different. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the plan,” adds the AP.
“We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do those firearms can be taken through rapid due process,” Trump said from the White House Monday.
The ‘Red Flag’ law would allow local law enforcement and state police to remove firearms from those deemed a risk to themselves or others. The individual could then go through a legal process to retrieve the weapons if approved by the courts.
“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 less than one week 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.
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.
GAINING SUPPORT: Sen. Graham’s ‘Red Flag’ Gun Legislation Gaining Bipartisan Support in Congress
Support for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s ‘Red Flag’ gun proposal gained momentum in both Houses of Congress this week; setting the stage for the first major firearm legislation since President Bill Clinton’s 1994 crime bill.
“A bipartisan proposal by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is gaining momentum following weekend mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left 31 people dead. The emerging plan would create a federal grant program to encourage states to adopt ‘red flag’ laws to take guns away from people believed to be dangers to themselves or others,” reports the Associated Press.
“A similar bill never came up for a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate last year, but both parties express hope that this year will be different. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the plan,” adds the AP.
“We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do those firearms can be taken through rapid due process,” Trump said from the White House Monday.
The ‘Red Flag’ law would allow local law enforcement and state police to remove firearms from those deemed a risk to themselves or others. The individual could then go through a legal process to retrieve the weapons if approved by the courts.
“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 less than one week 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 Associated Press.
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