Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly believes Georgia should consider adopting red flag laws in the wake of the tragic shooting at Dalton High School.
Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has weighed in on the recent shooting at Dalton High School in Georgia, urging the state to "seriously look at" adopting red flag laws. Kelly's comments come as law enforcement continues to investigate the incident that left two students and two teachers dead.
In an interview with Fox News, Kelly commended the local police for their swift response in apprehending the alleged shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray. However, he expressed concern that more could have been done after Gray was interviewed by authorities in 2023 following a threat made on social media.
Ray Kelly Calls for Red Flag Laws in Georgia After High School Shooting
"I think we have to seriously look at red flag laws in Georgia," Kelly said. "We have a tragic case where a young man made threats, he was interviewed by local law enforcement, and nothing happened. And now we have a tragedy."
Red flag laws allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. Kelly believes that such laws could have prevented the Georgia shooting if they had been in place.
Ray Kelly Calls for Red Flag Laws in Georgia After High School Shooting
"I think red flag laws are a very important tool for law enforcement. They allow us to intervene before a tragedy happens," Kelly said.
Georgia is one of a handful of states that does not have red flag laws on the books. However, there is growing support for such legislation in the wake of recent mass shootings, including the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Ray Kelly Calls for Red Flag Laws in Georgia After High School Shooting
In the wake of the Georgia shooting, Governor Brian Kemp has expressed openness to considering red flag laws. However, he has also said that he wants to ensure that any such legislation is "constitutionally sound."
Kelly's call for red flag laws has been met with mixed reactions. Some gun rights advocates argue that such laws violate Second Amendment rights. However, supporters of red flag laws contend that they are a necessary tool to prevent gun violence.
The debate over red flag laws is likely to continue in Georgia and other states as lawmakers grapple with the issue of gun violence.
