DENVER ― Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund today released new polling showing the vast majority of Coloradans — including 78 percent of gun owners — support allowing family members and law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to guns if they have documented evidence that the person poses a serious threat to themselves or others. Laws that create this process – known as Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws or Red Flag laws – have grown in support, with 13 states and D.C. having enacted one.
The poll’s findings demonstrate strong support for Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation expected to be introduced Thursday in the Colorado House of Representatives.
The poll of more than 1,000 registered voters was conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. Among other findings, it found:
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Eighty-seven percent of respondents — including 78 percent of gun owners — support allowing family members and law enforcement to ask a court to temporarily suspend a person’s access to guns if there is documented evidence the person poses a serious threat to self or others. (Question 8)
Support for this includes clear majorities of both Democratic and Republican respondents: 83 percent of respondents who identify as a strong Republican support this policy, as do 97 percent of those who identify as a strong Democrat.
89 percent of respondents support federal legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales. (Question 7)
“States across the political spectrum are enacting Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, and Coloradans know it’s past time for one here, too.” said Karin Asensio, volunteer leader with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Family members and law enforcement officers can be the first people to recognize that someone poses a serious risk of violence. Creating this way to act on clear warning signs can save lives.”
Thirteen states and D.C. have enacted Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws, including eight in 2018 alone. More information about this type of legislation is available here.
This week, the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives held a markup of legislation that would require background checks on all gun sales. More information on this legislation is available here.
