Buffalo, New York – New York State has implemented an ambitious experiment with red-flag laws to combat gun violence, leading to a sharp increase in the number of firearm seizures. Under these laws, individuals deemed at risk of harming themselves or others can be prevented from possessing or purchasing firearms. The state’s civil court judges approved over 4,300 final orders under the law last year, up from just 222 the previous year. The New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies removed at least 1,800 guns in 2023, leading to a storage crisis.
The packed evidence rooms are a direct result of New York’s unique approach to enforcing the red-flag laws. New York strengthened its red-flag law after a massacre at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022, making it mandatory for law enforcement authorities to pursue these orders rather than leaving it optional. As a result, New York’s red-flag law has been used to respond to various potential dangers, including individuals bringing guns to school, making threats of mass shootings, or experiencing mental health issues.
Research has shown that red-flag laws are associated with a decrease in firearm suicides, which account for more than half of gun deaths in the United States. The laws have also been effective in preventing potential mass shootings. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has praised the state’s red-flag push as a way to prevent deadly tragedies. However, gun rights groups claim that the expanded use of the red-flag law is overzealous and unconstitutional.
New York’s enforcement of the red-flag law has not been without challenges. Some law enforcement officers have struggled with the additional workload and finding space to store the seized firearms. Nevertheless, the state views these challenges as growing pains and a sign that the strategy is working.
New York is one of 21 states that have passed red-flag laws, allowing law enforcement and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals at risk of harm. However, the effectiveness of these laws varies across jurisdictions, with some areas embracing them more readily than others. New York’s ramped-up enforcement of the law has been praised for saving lives, but critics argue that it may infringe on individuals’ rights without sufficient procedural safeguards.
Despite legal challenges, red-flag laws have been mostly upheld by the courts. Every state with these laws includes due process requirements to protect individuals’ rights. The debate around red-flag laws continues, and there is ongoing discussion about their impact and how to strike a balance between public safety and individual rights.