Sunday, a bi-partisan group of Senators announced they had reached a deal on gun control. Their proposed legislation falls short of many of the actions  endorsed by President Biden, including passing federal “red flag” gun laws, also commonly known as extreme risk protection laws. These laws typically prevent the possession or purchase of guns from individuals who are deemed a threat to themselves or to others. 19 states and Washington D.C. currently have some version of red flag gun laws on their books. But, while there is seemingly momentum and signs of capitulation from Republicans, historically the powerful gun lobbies have wielded their power to prevent meaningful gun legislation from passing.

First, we’ll hear from Jennifer Mascia, reporter for The Trace and former New York Times reporter covering gun violence, about what the research says about how effective red flag gun laws are, and how gun lobbies have prevented gun legislation like red flag laws from being enacted. Then we’ll speak with Cole Wist about his experience trying to get a red flag gun law passed in his state, and the retaliation it was met with from the gun lobby.

In 2018, Cole Wist, a former Republican Colorado state representative (2016-2019) with an “A” rating from the NRA, sponsored a bill red flag bill in the state following the shooting death of a sheriff deputy close to his home. The bill passed the House, but was killed in the Republican state senate at the time, and a state wide gun lobby came after him. Wist, who was up for reelection at the time was called “Cole the Mole” in social media posts and flyers. He eventually lost reelection, and the bill did not pass. Colorado did eventually pass an even more restrictive red flag bill in 2019 once the state senate flipped Democrat.