House bill allocates $40 million for federal ‘Red Flag’ gun confiscation program

The House Appropriations Committee FY22 funding bill includes $40 million for a program to pressure states into establishing “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws in an effort to support “safer communities” and expand “gun violence prevention efforts.”

According to a draft of the FY22 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies funding bill released July 11, nearly $150 million in “Gun Violence Reduction Grants” is “aimed at reducing gun violence.” In addition to the $40 million focused on “Red Flag” laws, the committee included $100 million for grants to assist states in improving their National Instant Criminal Background Check systems for gun purchases and $10 million to “develop and expand gun buyback and relinquishment programs.”

Biden had announced the concept of the red flag rule in April and directed the Department of Justice to publish a model rule within 60 days. At the time, Biden called on Congress to pass “an appropriate national ‘red flag’ law,” but said the White House will move forward with gun control policy “whether Congress acts or not.”