Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart raises awareness for ‘red flag’ law
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CHICAGO — Illinois residents will get visual reminders about a state law designed to prevent gun violence.
According to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the Firearm Restraining Order (FRO), sometimes called a Red Flag Law, allows family members, household members, and law enforcement to work with courts to temporarily remove guns and prevent the purchase of new guns by individuals who pose a significant risk of harm.
Dart said this law is highly effective, but is being underutilized by the public. They want this new campaign to raise awareness.
The sheriff’s office displayed some of the guns they’ve recovered when these restraining orders have been filed. Deputies have filed about a dozen of these orders that have led to the recovery of nearly 100 firearms.
Dart says family members, roommates and police officers can file one of these orders. There will be 57 campaign signs spreading awareness of the law across Cook County.
The sheriff says the process to file one of these restraining orders is simple. It starts online by filling out a form before going to court.
The sheriff says there is a 14-day window where a person whose guns are being taken away from can come to court and ask for a hearing if they don’t agree with the filed order.
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