July 7, 2023
Statement From Tim Dymond, President of the NY State Police Investigators Association:
“I’m the president of the New York State Police Investigators Association. Red Flag laws are designed to take guns away from people who are a threat to themselves or others before they can commit acts of violence. This is something that I, and most others, support. If someone is at risk and they have a firearm, if they’re a threat to themselves or to their community, we want to know so we can stop them. But the number of ERPO [Extreme Risk Protection Order] requests has grown exponentially. In 2021, we had just 95. In 2022, we had 584. This year, we’re on track to have over 1000. We don’t have the manpower. We don’t have enough space to store all the guns we’re seizing. We must make sure all petitioners have legal representation in all ERPO hearings. That’s why we’re grateful that Senator Gillibrand is introducing the FLAG Act. That additional funding will provide much-needed support to the men and women who are tasked with investigating ERPOs for years to come.”
