Maine voters approved a ballot measure allowing family members to petition courts to restrict a potentially dangerous person’s access to guns, expanding on the state’s existing “yellow flag” law. This move comes two years after a mass shooting in Lewiston, which resulted in 18 fatalities and prompted calls for stricter gun control. The new “red flag” law, supported by gun safety advocates, allows family members to initiate the process, unlike the existing law, which only allows police. This measure has faced opposition from Republicans and gun rights groups.
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The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has taken disciplinary action against 17 deputies after an internal investigation revealed failures in their handling of Mary Gingles’ domestic violence reports before her murder. The investigation found that deputies did not adequately address Gingles’ warnings and pleas for help concerning her estranged husband, Nathan Gingles, who later allegedly murdered her, her father, and a neighbor. This failure has led to increased scrutiny regarding the use of Florida’s red flag law. Nathan Gingles, who has pleaded not guilty, could face the death penalty if convicted.
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Texas neighbors said they tried to sound the alarm about the Houston church shooter for months. Reading about their futile attempts to alert the authorities is both disheartening and anger-inducing. The fact that these concerned citizens were afraid to give their full names, fearing retaliation from the police, speaks volumes about the state of our justice system.
It’s appalling to see how information about this woman’s violent tendencies and mental health issues had been circulating for years, yet no action was taken to prevent the tragic events that unfolded. What happened to the mantra of “if you see something, say something”?… Continue reading
Texas Man Kills Self After Fatally Shooting Four, Including His 8-year-old Niece: A Tragic Reminder of the Urgency of Red Flag Laws
When I first read the headline, “Texas man kills self after fatally shooting four, including his 8-year-old niece,” I was overcome with a mix of emotions – shock, anger, and profound sadness. The gravity of such a horrific event is difficult to comprehend, and it forces us to confront the harsh realities of domestic violence and gun violence in our society.
Perpetrators of murder-suicides always seem to get the order of operations wrong. We are left to grapple with the devastating consequences of their actions – the lives shattered, the families forever scarred.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker