Red flag bill headed back to legislature, supported by Douglas County Sheriff Spurlock

A controversial bill is headed back to Colorado’s state legislature come January.

The “red flag bill” aimed at making it easier for law enforcement to seize firearms from someone who’s deemed mentally unstable didn’t get very far in 2018 session.

It was supported by Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock and 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler.

Sheriff Spurlock says Matthew Riehl, the gunman who killed Deputy Zackari Parrish on New Year’s Eve was known to law enforcement in the area. The night of the shooting, Deputy Parrish tried to make a mental health call.

Current law says when a law enforcement calls for a mental health code, they can only legally take that person to a hospital for a 72-hour observation. Spurlock says that’s not enough. “We need to find a way to one, fix that inadequate law where we can provide aid and service to those who are unable to provide protection for themselves,” he says.

The bill would allow a family member or law enforcement to express their concern about someone’s mental health. If they had firearms, a judge could then decide whether or not to seize them.

Brauchler says, “how do we give the men and women in law enforcement the tools necessary to keep there from being a Zack Parrish part 2 because it’s coming. It may not be here, but it’s coming if we don’t do something about different.”

Twelve other states have passed similar bills, many of them after the Parkland, Florida shooting.