New Hampshire’s House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held public hearings on a proposed “red flag” law, HB 687, that would allow family members or law enforcement the right to petition for a court order to take away a gun from someone posing a risk to themselves or others. Red flag laws have popped up in a few states, and there is some very preliminary research that they are effective in reducing suicide rates. The bill is supported by grassroots organization Women Demand Action, who have shown up to the debate to share very tough stories of gun violence. The Star Telegram reports that mothers like Margaret Tilton, whose son died at 23, after once being “persuaded” to hand in a gun, went out and got another and used it on himself two years ago.
"My family and I will carry this grief for the rest of our lives," she said. "There can be no meaning to George's senseless death unless we create meaning. We know there are better tools out there we ask you to give us access to them."
Second Amendment patriots like the Women’s Defense League don’t agree. The Women’s Defense League is a pro Second Amendment organization in New Hampshire, known for organizing rallies with predominantly male attendees. Their angle on the gun safety laws in our country is that any restrictions on guns make it harder for women to get their hands on guns. No need to question that logic. Male New Hampshire lawmakers wore pearls in opposition to Mothers Demand Action and in solidarity with the Women’s Defense League.
Classy guys. Super classy. The New Hampshire Union Leader spoke with the president of the Women’s Defense League of N.H., Kimberly Morin, who says the pearls thing is a show of strength.
“At the hearing for constitutional carry in reps hall, three of us were dressed in business professional clothes, wearing pearls, and someone from Moms Demand said they wouldn’t testify because they felt they were in front of a firing squad,” Morin said. “So we’ve been wearing pearls in defense of women’s right and the Women’s Defense League since then, because we are moms just like they are only on different sides.”
So, the pearls made women feel like they were on a “firing squad,” and thus, to defend “women’s rights,” you wear them. . . so they feel intimidated, like they’re going to be shot dead? Got it. Moms Demand Action, who support the bill, wore red shirts and spoke in support for HB 687.
Republicans in opposition argue that red flag laws will allow people to take away your guns. That’s basically it. The people arguing for these laws believe it will add another safety tool to be utilized by families and law enforcement in treating both people in dark depressions as well as (mostly women and children) families stuck in domestic violence situations.