Governor Stein suggests adopting red flag law following Southport mass shooting

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY-TV) — “​I know I speak for the entire state of North Carolina, that you are not alone in your heart ache or pain,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein.

During a visit to Southport on Tuesday, Governor Josh Stein emphasized that the Southport community can lean on the state for support following Saturday night’s mass shooting at the American Fish Company. Three people died, five others remain hospitalized.

“You do not grieve alone…we stand with you,” Stein said.

Stein said North Carolina must strengthen its approach to addressing mental health, citing the suspect Nigel Edge’s reported history with PTSD.

“We have got to do better and I will do everything that I can and I will work with anyone and everyone who is serious about protecting the people of this state,” Stein said.

Stein said his next steps are to enhance the state’s mental health system that’s already in place

“We need to have greater integration in our criminal justice system with the mental health care system,” Stein said.

Stein touched on possibly adopting the red flag law in North Carolina which would allow the state court to temporarily seize firearms from those who are a potential danger.

“There are people in our community that people know are a risk…a risk to others and a risk to themselves and they should not have firearms,” Stein said.

Stein said that while he did not know the full extent of edge’s mental health history, he stressed the importance of providing better resources

“We know that the vast majority of folks with mental health challenges pose no risk to others…but some can,” Stein said. There are too many people in our communities with dangerous obsessions exhibiting threatening behavior who do pose risks”