Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, issued a statement July 14th urging the Iowa Legislature to support a “Red Flag” law in Iowa that he says would help reduce gun violence. Red Flag laws involve reporting concerns to the police who can temporarily take a gun away from someone, and then hold the gun pending a hearing. Miller says Iowa should take advantage of 750 million dollars allocated to states to develop and implement Red Flag laws, or extreme risk protection orders. Miller says studies show that such laws work. Miller said. “Red Flag laws empower family, friends, and others to prevent tragedies.” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, was asked about the possibility of a Red Flag law here following a news conference earlier this week. Reynolds reiterated her stance that a Red Flag law isn’t the only answer.
Reynolds says simply adding another law doesn’t solve the problem.
Reynolds says she is not ruling out Red Flag laws, but says Illinois had a Red Flag law in place and people were still killed by a gunman in the Highland Park shooting.
Democrat state lawmakers have made attempts to introduce legislation for Red Flag laws, but Republicans control debate in the House and Senate, and have not advanced any legislation on the issue.
