New Hampshire

GOP Lawmakers Wearing Pearls at ‘Red Flag' Hearing Stirs Controversy

Some Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire are under fire after wearing pearl necklaces to mock activists testifying about gun violence at a recent hearing in the House of Representatives.

Reps. Scott Wallace, David Welch, and Daryl Abbas were the lawmakers wearing the necklaces in opposition to a "red-flag" gun bill hearing Tuesday.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held the public hearing on the bill which would allow family members or law enforcement officers to seek a court order restricting gun access to those posing an immediate risk to themselves or public safety.

Gun control activist Shannon Watts, who founded Moms Demand Action for Guns Sense, attended the hearing and posted pictures of the lawmakers on Twitter.

The action of the lawmakers was thought to be them "clutching at pearls". Supporters, including many of Watts' 294,000 followers, who did not support their action, took to Twitter.

After the hearing, Welch told the Union Leader that the pearls were handed out by members of the Women’s Defense League of N.H. He said he agreed to wear them as a symbolic gesture.

Fourteen states have passed so-called "red flag" laws and several others are debating them this year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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