The police are using red flag laws to seize weapons because the 'private free-market Stasi' told them to?
Red flag laws are mostly used to prevent suicides and domestic violence. They are formal proceedings and due process of law. If the problem is with the law, organize and change it.
There is no due process. Due process would be (1) a hearing prior to your property being confiscated; and (2) the ability to face your accuser. None of these happen with any existing red flag laws and violate multiple items in the Bill of Rights. Additionally, in most states' implementations of these laws, there are no codified repercussions for false reportings. It's effectively legalized SWATting.
They have led to the death of one man in Maryland [0] and an erroneous confiscation of one man in Florida [1] so far.
That first one sounds like someone that should have been red flagged--I wouldn't call that a failure of the system. The police were there, he had put the gun down and then picked it up again.
Yeah, family members said he wouldn't hurt anyone. It's very common for family members to side with abusers over victims.
The second, however, is the sort of problem that plague red flag laws.
> They are formal proceedings and due process of law.
A number of states involve no due-process prior to confiscation and require you to hire an attorney and file suit if your initial request for return of property are denied.
Having been "red flagged" by a vindictive ex, and in a "Red State" too boot, this is no joke.
Red flag laws are mostly used to prevent suicides and domestic violence. They are formal proceedings and due process of law. If the problem is with the law, organize and change it.