Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Florida on Saturday to introduce a new Biden administration initiative aimed at providing training and technical assistance to individuals involved in enforcing laws to prevent individuals deemed a threat from accessing firearms.
The program, known as the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, has already faced criticism from some Republicans who labeled it a 'massive Red Flag Operation.'
The ERPO Resource Center, as outlined in a Department of Justice press release, will offer support to various stakeholders including law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, clinicians, victim service providers, and community organizations. ERPO laws, similar to domestic violence protection orders, enable temporary restrictions on firearm possession for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others.
During her visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where a tragic mass shooting occurred in 2018, Harris is expected to advocate for the adoption of red flag laws at the state level and the utilization of federal funding to enforce existing legislation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of the ERPO Resource Center in preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals posing a danger to society. The initiative aligns with the Justice Department's commitment to leveraging resources provided by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to combat gun violence.
The ERPO Resource Center's website will serve as a hub for critical information and best practices related to ERPO implementation, with a focus on reducing firearm-related deaths and suicides. The Center will collaborate with the Bureau of Justice Assistance to develop resources and share innovative strategies for addressing gun violence.
Despite the administration's efforts to enhance gun control measures, some House Republicans have criticized the ERPO Resource Center, raising concerns about potential violations of Second Amendment rights. Representative Thomas Massie and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have voiced opposition to the initiative, questioning its implications on individual liberties.
The Biden administration's push for stricter gun control measures, including a ban on assault weapons, has been a central theme since President Biden took office. During his recent State of the Union address, Biden reiterated his commitment to enacting comprehensive gun safety laws and called for bipartisan support for measures such as universal background checks.
