The Multnomah Athletic Club attack was horrific, and it could have been worse, (“MAC bombing suspect lost guns under Oregon ‘red flag’ law,” May 3). We can’t know exactly what might have happened if the bombing suspect had firearms, but our epidemic of gun violence gives us no shortage of ideas.
Although described as cheerful and caring, Bruce Whitman struggled with mental illness, and he made consistent threats to himself and others.
When Oregonians make these threats, one tool police can use is an extreme risk protection order. The laws that create these orders are nicknamed “red flag laws” for the behavioral flags that signal a risk of harm. Family members, household members or law enforcement officers can petition a judge for a protection order that will temporarily remove someone’s access to firearms and to prevent them from purchasing more. These extreme risk protection orders can last up to a year…