U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, representing Hawaii, has collaborated with Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut and 14 other senators to introduce the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act. This proposed legislation aims to prevent individuals in crisis from obtaining firearms by establishing grants that support the implementation of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), commonly known as "red flag" laws, at state and local levels.
The bill seeks to extend federal firearms restrictions to those subject to ERPOs, providing law enforcement with tools to remove access to firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of this measure by stating, “Far too many people have been and continue to be impacted by this country’s gun violence epidemic, and this commonsense gun safety legislation will help to minimize harm throughout our communities by removing access to firearms from people who are a danger to themselves and others.”
The initiative has garnered support from several organizations such as Brady, GIFFORDS, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
Alongside Senators Hirono and Blumenthal, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (New Jersey), Maria Cantwell (Washington), Dick Durbin (Illinois), Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Edward J. Markey (Massachusetts), Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Patty Murray (Washington), Alex Padilla (California), Adam Schiff (California), Tina Smith (Minnesota), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), and Ron Wyden (Oregon).
For more details on the legislation's specifics, the full text is available online.