Senate eschews expanding ‘red flag’ gun restrictions

AUSTIN — In the wake of this year’s school shooting at a Santa Fe High School, the Texas Senate signaled Monday its disinterest in expanding the state’s so-called “red flag” law that calls for removing guns from domestic violence suspects who pose a threat to other people or themselves.

The Senate is most interested in clarifying state law on whether someone convicted of domestic violence can legally possess a firearm and when authorities should return guns to people who have been declared no longer a risk, according to a report from the chamber’s nine-member Select Committee on Violence in Schools.

Mention of a “red flag” law was scant throughout a 32-page report released Monday, hinting at the chamber’s lack of enthusiasm for the idea. Such laws can also remove guns from people who make threats, for example.

Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican and gun rights defender, surprised those wanting stiffer firearms restrictions when he asked lawmakers to consider the merits of red flag laws after hearing three days of testimony from law enforcement, school safety experts and victims following the shooting at Santa Fe in May.

While such a law likely would not have impacted the school shooter’s ability to access a gun, a “red flag” law could have made it more difficult for the shooter from the November Sutherland Springs church massacre to obtain a gun, advocates say.

The committee recommends the Legislature consider giving schools more money to beef up security with metal detectors, alarms and cameras.

Other recommendations include clarifying the law to ensure a campus administrator maintain regular contact with local law enforcement agencies, and giving the Texas Education Agency oversight over school districts’ compliance with school security audits.

“This report will help us develop legislation for a comprehensive school security effort to meet the increased challenges we face today,” said Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said.

Patrick was first to say “red flag” laws are a nonstarter in his chamber.