Lack of "Red Flag" Laws in Tennessee Raises Concerns After Nashville Shooting
Date
3/29/2023 3:51:41 AM
(MENAFN) The recent shooting in Nashville, in which six people, including three 9-year-olds, were killed, has raised concerns about Tennessee's lack of gun control measures. The state does not have any "red flag" laws, which are emergency protection orders that temporarily restrict access to guns for individuals who are at elevated risk of harming themselves or others. After the 2018 Parkland shooting, 18 states plus D.C. implemented "red flag" laws, but Tennessee has yet to follow suit.
Studies have suggested that gun violence might be reduced when steps are taken to limit access to guns, including through "red flag" laws. One study even suggested that 21 cases of mass shootings might have been prevented thanks to early intervention with individuals who owned firearms and had made explicit threats. The lack of such measures in Tennessee raises concerns about the state's ability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Nashville Police Chief John Drake revealed that the attacker in the Nashville school shooting, identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, was under medical supervision for an "emotional disorder." Drake also disclosed that the shooter's parents knew their child had sold a weapon and believed there were no guns in the house. However, unbeknownst to them, the shooter had hidden seven firearms legally bought from five stores before Monday's deadly attack. The shooter used three of those weapons in the rampage.
The shooter's parents felt that their child should not own weapons, according to Drake. However, the lack of awareness of the shooter's "pathway towards violence" and the absence of mechanisms to flag potential threats contributed to the tragedy. Former ATF senior special agent Mark Kraft, who spent 26 years investigating source guns, told CBS News that the absence of measures to flag potential threats contributes to mass shootings.
In Tennessee, guns are easy to obtain, and there are a lot of them. The state's lack of "red flag" laws raises concerns about its ability to prevent future tragedies. The recent shooting in Nashville underscores the need for Tennessee to consider implementing measures to limit access to guns for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others.
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