The Biden administration has launched a National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, a centralized hub designed to help police, prosecutors, judges, and others implement “red flag” laws more effectively to confiscate guns from Americans deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others. The move has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives and gun rights advocates who argue that it infringes upon Second Amendment rights and could be used to target political opponents.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of the center on March 23, stating that it will provide training and technical assistance to support states and localities in implementing their ERPO or red flag laws. These controversial laws allow individuals such as police, family members, or medical professionals to bring a claim to an emergency court alleging that a person is mentally unwell and dangerous, potentially leading to the seizure of their firearms.
Critics argue that red flag laws deny gun owners their constitutional rights without due process. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the DOJ under President Joe Biden “weaponized” and accused Attorney General Merrick Garland of launching a “massive Red Flag Operation” to “violate American’s Second Amendment.”
The new red flag center, established in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions (CGVS), aims to provide law enforcement and other groups with “critical information” to enhance their ability to reduce firearm homicides and suicides. Vice President Kamala Harris touted the Biden administration’s $750 million investment in taxpayer dollars to help implement red flag laws.
The announcement drew immediate backlash from lawmakers and Second Amendment advocates. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called the project “evil” and questioned its authorization, while conservative political activist Laura Loomer suggested that the program would be used to target Trump supporters and disarm “MAGA.”
What the hell is this evil?
A Federal Red Flag center;
We did not authorize this.
Announced, of course, just hours after the omnibus passes. https://t.co/IkuK0aTeV8— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 23, 2024
The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has alleged that red flag laws can easily be abused by biased officials to target those with disfavored political views. In contrast, the Biden administration has been a vocal advocate of tighter gun control legislation, including red flag laws and centralized efforts to reduce acts of violence involving firearms.
As the debate over red flag laws and the DOJ’s new resource center continues, critics remain concerned about the potential for abuse and the erosion of Second Amendment rights.
