BOSTON (AP) _ Supporters of a so-called ``red flag'' bill pending on Beacon Hill say preemptively disarming individuals who show signs of unstable or dangerous behavior could help prevent future mass shootings.

The measure would allow family members or police officers concerned that a legal gun owner poses a significant risk to themselves or others to petition a judge for an extreme risk protection order. Such an order would prevent the individual from having firearms for one year.

Similar red flag proposals have been gaining traction in other states following the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that left 17 people dead.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and others have suggested the bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Marjorie Decker may be unnecessary because state law already includes some provisions to confiscate weapons from dangerous people.

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