CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two West Virginia lawmakers say they are working on a “red flag” law to introduce in the state Legislature.
Delegates Barbara Evans Fleischauer, D-Monongalia, and John Doyle, D-Jefferson, are taking part in the annual conference of the National Conference of States Legislatures in Nashville. The legislators are working with West Virginia groups to craft the law.
“Red flag” laws allow people to petition a court to restrict a family member from possessing or purchasing a gun.
“We are used to the idea of a domestic violence protection order,” Fleischauer said. “Extreme risk protection orders would allow a similar protection order when a Judge finds that someone poses a risk of harm of violence to themselves or others.”
The two are also considering introducing legislation to expand background checks.
“I am deeply concerned with the dramatic increase in mass shootings,” he said. “I believe this is partly the result of our society being less tolerant of those who are different, both in thought and appearance.”
The lawmakers’ statement on Wednesday is in the wake of mass shootings last weekend in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio.