[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Kaine, Mr. 
        Markey, Ms. Warren, Mr. Brown, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Smith, Mr. 
        Casey, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
        Merkley, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Wyden, and Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 247. A bill to support State, Tribal, and local efforts to remove 
access to firearms from individuals who are a danger to themselves or 
others pursuant to court orders for this purpose; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, today I rise to introduce the 
Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act.
  The premise of this bill is simple: Individuals who pose a serious 
threat to themselves or others should not have guns.
  Too often we see the deadly consequences when those at risk of 
committing violence are given easy access to guns. Nearly 40,000 people 
die each year from gun violence. Last year, 3,597 children died by 
gunfire--making guns the No. 1 cause of death for children in the 
United States.
  Before many incidents of gun violence, shooters display warning signs 
of impending violence. However, family and friends--those in the best 
position to recognize troubling signs--are too often powerless to stop 
the violence.
  That is why Congress must pass the Extreme Risk Protection Order 
Expansion Act.
  Extreme risk protection orders, which are often referred to as red 
flag laws, allow law enforcement and family members to petition courts 
to temporarily remove guns from individuals who are determined to be 
dangerous. These laws help save lives.
  Nineteen States, including California, already have these laws on the 
books. Red flag laws work, but they need more funding.
  The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, which I am 
reintroducing today, would allow States to use Federal funds to develop 
red flag laws.
  Passing the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act would help 
States respond to situations where a dangerous person should not have 
access to a gun. It will also help us better understand the causes of 
gun violence and how to better protect our communities.
  When Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, 
it expanded the Justice Department's existing Byrne-JAG Program to 
allow States to apply for Federal grant assistance if they want to 
create these laws.
  While this was an important first step, I believe we must pass the 
Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act to build on the important 
work done last Congress and make sure that specific dedicated funding 
exists for the development and implementation of red-flag laws.
                                 ______