As The Floridian has reported recently, red flag laws have been divisive within the Grand Old Party. A week ago, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said in a June 2nd committee hearing that “If you back red flag laws, you betray your voters, you are a traitor to the Constitution, you do nothing to make mass shootings less likely, and you put a target on the back of your constituents.”
This quote, for context, demonstrates the fervor that some members of the Republican Party have for disallowing the passage of this type of legislation. Those who are against red flag laws are worried about the possibility that the laws can be abused for political gain.
However, Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) is calling upon Senate Republicans to cross party lines and to support the new proposed legislation.
Red flag laws are a proven tool to save lives in our communities and stop murders and suicides. Florida’s GOP lawmakers passed a red flag law after Parkland. We just passed national legislation. This should be bipartisan. The Senate must join us.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 9, 2022
“Red flag laws are a proven tool to save lives in our communities and stop murders and suicides. Florida’s GOP lawmakers passed a red flag law after Parkland. We just passed national legislation. This should be bipartisan. The Senate must join us.”
The Florida Congresswoman faces incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in a showdown for his Senate seat.
Oftentimes throughout history, societies had to make a choice to value either liberty or safety. For instance, after 9/11, the famous (or infamous depending on how you view it) Patriot Act put in place to counter terrorism has been critiqued for its surveillance of private citizens while also being used to track down terrorists who pose a threat to the nation.
During the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans followed the CDC and their recommendations despite those recommendations significantly reducing the normal amenities of everyday life.
The American people will have their voices heard at the ballot box this November to decide whether they value liberty or safety, especially when it comes to the topic of red flag laws.
