Red Flag Laws, Medical Reporting and an Opportunity to Save Lives

Red Flag Laws, Medical Reporting and an Opportunity to Save Lives Red Flag Laws, Mandatory Medical Reporting and the Opportunity to Save Lives • Alan Drummond MDCM • Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians • Coroner Mandatory Reporting • Physicians have a legal and professional obligation to maintain the confidentiality of patient information • There are circumstances, where physicians are ei. [...] • A firearm in the home increases a woman’s risk of death five-fold • Rural women are particularly vulnerable to homicide by firearms • Rifles and shotguns appear to be the weapon of choice and are used in 62% of spousal homicides. [...] Red Flag Laws • Seven states with the lowest firearm death rates for 2020 all had red flag laws • 7.5% decrease in firearm suicides in Indiana in the 10 years following enactment of the law relative to expected rates • One firearm suicide was averted for every 10.6 seizures that occurred in Connecticut • In Indiana, the number of ERPO seizures estimated to result in one averted suicide was 10.1. [...] Red Flag Laws: Oh Canada! • Enable anyone to make an application to a court for an emergency weapons prohibition order (red flag) to immediately remove firearms, for up to 30 days, from: • an individual who may pose a danger to themselves or others • Protect the safety of "red flag" applicants and those known to them, if needed, by giving a judge the option to: • close a "red flag" hearing's proce. [...] Red-flag provision in federal firearms bill could weaken public safety, critics say CTV November 21, 2022 • "Indeed, it is unrealistic to expect victims to have the means and the fortitude to go to court while they face the simultaneous challenges of escaping abuse, caring for children and keeping their jobs." • In its brief to the committee, the National Association of Women and the Law says the.