Santa Clara โฃCounty Launches Public Awareness Campaign to โUtilize “Red Flag” Laws
Santa Clara County โฃofficials are amplifying โฃefforts to prevent gun violence with a new public service announcement (PSA) produced jointly by the District Attorney’s Office and the San Jose Police Department. The video, โคavailable online and slated for screenings at local movie theaters โandโ community events, aims to encourage residents to proactively report potentialโค gun dangers to law enforcement.
The PSA features 911 dispatcher “DD” Dunn,โฃ who stresses the importance of contacting authorities when individuals exhibit warning signs. Reporting โsuch concerns canโ trigger the use of a Gun Violence Restraining Order โ(GVRO),allowing a โspecialized law enforcement team to temporarily and safely remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk toโค themselves or others.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the broad โconsensusโ surrounding responsible gun ownership, stating, “We all agree aโ suicidal teen shouldn’t have a gun, nor should โคaโข young child or domestic violence abuser possess a loaded โขfirearm. Disarming a potential mass shooter before violence erupts is paramount. โListen to “DD” – don’t delay,โค call 911.”
San Jose Police Chief Paul โJosephโ echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role of community involvement. “Every gun removed from dangerous hands represents a potential life saved,” he said. “These laws are effective when we work together. If you observe concerningโค behavior and a firearm is involved, don’t hesitate – your โcallโฃ could prevent a tragedy.”
Santa Clara County has been a leaderโ in utilizing GVROs, issuingโ 683 orders last year – surpassing any other county in California by a notableโ margin (200 more than San Diego). These orders have โขbeen successfully employed in cases involving threats of suicide,potential mass shootings,and the seizure of illegal weapons,including assault weapons and โmachine guns.
The PSA will be โฃshown โin four languages โฃat โคthe West Wind Capitol Drive-In and Cinelux almaden Cafรฉ โคand Lounge for the next four weeks, andโค will be utilized at community outreach events. Officials state the county has already demonstrated success in removing firearms from individuals at risk, โคincluding those struggling with suicidal thoughts, mental illness, making threats, or involved in domestic abuse situations.