While digging through statistics from states that have Red Flag laws, we found these laws are not lowering suicide rates.
One of the claims from Red Flag proponents (when correctly stated) is that the laws lower the rate for gun-related suicides.
But red flag laws do not translate to decreased overall suicide rates.
For example, suicide rates are skyrocketing in Indiana, the second state to adopt a Red Flag law back in 2005.
Comparing statistics for 2001-2005 and 2011-2015, suicides in Indiana rose from 735 to 962 as reported by the Indiana State Department of Health.
Data obtained from the same reports show the percent of suicides by both suffocation and poisoning increased following the adoption of Red Flag, but we don’t see a call to ban ropes, cars, or
Few people would argue the fact that the United States is facing a mental health crisis and we need to address the matter.
Guns are easy to blame if you are on the left, but then why does Red Flag legislation do nothing to get people professional help?
The law does not provide any means by which a person considered a ‘significant risk’ to themselves and others can gain access to treatment.
Blaming guns for the mental health crisis is lazy and irresponsible, so let’s call this Red Flag bill what it is, a gun-grab.
Maybe the Colorado legislature should address the underlying problem, instead of ignoring their constituents like Lisa Cutter.
There was a program called “Body Cam – Under Siege that showed the actual incident as it unfolded in Highlands Ranch in Douglas County.
A person needs to watch it to make their own determination if the Sheriff or Police Chief is supporting the Red Flag on belief or emotions, or if a different approachmay have been taken. Please believe me I’m not in anyway criticizing. I do believe that something needs to be done to keep the mentality ill from obtaining any type of firearm but not to the broad and blanketed Legislation just to make it easy.