Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) on Wednesday slammed the Democrats’ push for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly referred to as “Red Flag laws.” According to the senator, Red Flag laws lack due process for a constitutionally-protected right and are proven to be ineffective in stopping mass shootings and suicides.
“I care deeply about stopping violent crime. And gun crime in particular. I’ve spent much of my adult life in law enforcement trying to stop violent criminals who prey upon the innocent and working to ensure that they receive the most stringent punishment,” Cruz said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Red Flag laws. “But one thing is abundantly clear: if the objective is to stop violent crime, restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens doesn’t work. In fact, it typically makes crime worse because when you disarm law-abiding citizens you make them more likely to be victims.”
The senator has repeatedly said Red Flag laws are dangerous, but believes states should look at this legislation on an individual basis.