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Congressman Cohen Speaks in Favor and Votes to Advance the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act

October 27, 2021

Ensures that those who pose a threat to themselves or others temporarily do not have access to firearms

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today participated in the markup of several bills, speaking in favor of the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, and voting to advance it to the full House of Representatives. The "red flag" bill would allow family members and law enforcement to petition federal judges to temporarily remove firearms from people they find to pose a credible threat of harm to themselves or others.

During the debate, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"There are two options on this bill. One option is to vote for it, and pass it, and save some lives. The other is to offer thoughts and prayers. We've had enough thoughts and prayers. We continue to have thousands of victims of gun violence – people killed; suicides, yes, but homicides. In Memphis, we've had quite a few recently. A man went into a grocery store, killed one person and shot a dozen others. A student went into an elementary school…, an eighth grader, went into a school and shot another student. Three students outside a high school were shot -- just yesterday…We need to protect people, not just give them thoughts and prayers."

See the Congressman's entire remarks here.

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