Six States Ban Red Flag Gun Laws as Political Support Shifts
Six states have banned red flag gun laws despite previous bipartisan support, with three more considering similar measures in 2026.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Six states have enacted laws prohibiting the enforcement of extreme risk protection orders, commonly known as red flag laws, marking a shift in political support for measures once backed by President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association.
The bans come as three additional states are considering similar legislation in 2026, effectively dismantling legal mechanisms that allow police and family members to petition courts for temporary removal of firearms from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
Texas became one of the most prominent states to outlaw the orders last year, despite testimony from gun reform advocates who argued such laws could have prevented tragedies like the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting.
Santa Fe Shooting Highlights Prevention Debate
The May 18, 2018, attack at Santa Fe High School saw a teenager kill eight students and two teachers using his father’s guns. Evidence later revealed the teen had been experiencing a severe and spiraling mental health crisis leading up to the attack.
Texas had no legal mechanism at the time that would have allowed authorities to temporarily remove firearms from the home. The state’s subsequent ban on extreme risk protection orders ensures it never will.
Christina Delgado, a Santa Fe resident who became a gun reform advocate after the shooting, testified before state lawmakers that the attack might have been prevented with red flag laws. “Had timely and appropriate intervention and support been provided to that family, a different outcome may have been achieved,” Delgado told a Texas Senate committee considering the ban.
Political Support Erodes
The legislative push against red flag laws represents a significant reversal from previous bipartisan support. In 2018, the National Rifle Association advocated for federal funding to help states implement the measures, while Trump also expressed support for the orders.
States that have banned enforcement of extreme risk protection orders have in some cases prescribed fines or criminal charges for officials who attempt to implement them, according to reporting by The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America.
Ongoing Legislative Battles
The movement to ban red flag laws continues to gain momentum across Republican-led states, with three additional states currently considering similar legislation this year. The measures effectively eliminate what supporters argue is an essential tool for preventing gun violence and suicide.
ERPO laws allow law enforcement officers and family members to petition courts for temporary removal of firearms from individuals who pose an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others. The orders are designed to provide quick intervention during mental health crises or situations involving domestic violence.
The growing opposition to these laws reflects broader political divisions over gun rights and public safety measures, as states increasingly split along partisan lines on firearms policy.
