Graham Statement on President Trump’s Remarks on Recent Shootings

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after President Trump’s speech addressing the recent shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. 

“I appreciate President Trump’s strong statement rejecting hate and white supremacist ideology, urging us all to reject a culture of violence, as well as a call to action on multiple fronts.

“I have reached an agreement with Senator Blumenthal to create a federal grant program to assist and encourage states to adopt ‘Red Flag’ Protection Order laws to timely intervene in situations where there is an imminent threat of violence.

“These grants will be given to law enforcement so they can hire and consult with mental health professionals to better determine which cases need to be acted upon. This grant program also requires robust due process and judicial review. It does allow for quick action.

“I spoke with the President this morning about this proposal and he seems very supportive.

“Many of these shootings involved individuals who showed signs of violent behavior that are either ignored or not followed up.  State Red Flag laws will provide the tools for law enforcement to do something about many of these situations before it’s too late.

“I will introduce this legislation in the very near future with Senator Blumenthal and hope that my Republican and Democratic colleagues will join us to finally move forward in the effort to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.”

Learn more about Red Flag or Extreme Risk Protection Order laws HERE.

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