1
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Extreme Risk
Protection Orders
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
What are extreme risk laws? .....................................................................................................3
Table 1: Statutory Names for Extreme Risk Protection Orders .............................................3
How do ERPOs compare to domestic violence protection orders? .............................................4
Does my state have an extreme risk law? ............................................................................ 4
What is the typical process to obtain an ERPO? ...........................................................................4
How much does it cost to file a petition? .....................................................................................4
What types of ERPOs are available? .............................................................................................4
Who is eligible to petition for an ERPO? ......................................................................................5
What liability concerns should petitioners be aware of when seeking an ERPO? ....................... 6
How long do ERPOs last? .............................................................................................................6
Table 2: Types of ERPOs, Length of Order and Persons Eligible ............................................7
What is the standard of proof necessary for an ERPO? ................................................................12
Table 3: Standards of Proof and Findings Required ...............................................................14
What type of evidence is required to obtain an ERPO? ..............................................................21
How are ERPOs served on the respondent? ................................................................................. 21
What happens if an ERPO request is denied? ...............................................................................21
What relief is available under an ERPO? .......................................................................................21
How are firearms relinquished/removed? ................................................................................... 22
What happens if the respondent does not turn over their firearms? ..........................................22
Table 4: Firearms relinquishment/removal process ..............................................................23
Is notification provided to a person at risk of harm from the respondent? ................................31
Table 5: Notification of Persons at Risk ..................................................................................32
Can an ERPO be terminated prior to the expiration date? .......................................................... 34
Can an ERPO be extended/renewed? ........................................................................................... 34
How and when are firearms returned to the respondent? .................................................... 34
What happens to unclaimed firearms? ........................................................................................ 34
Table 6: Firearms Disposal ......................................................................................................35
How can we ensure an ERPO is enforced? ....................................................................................37
Table 7: Statutory mandates for ERPO entry into state and national databases ..................38
How can our jurisdiction collaborate with local military installations to prevent
unauthorized firearm access? ......................................................................................................42
Best Strategies ..........................................................................................................................42
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are extreme risk laws?
Several states have enacted extreme risk laws. These laws enable courts to issue orders that are known by a variety of
names but are most commonly called Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)
1
. An ERPO is a civil order that removes
firearms from an individual who poses an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others. The order prohibits the
individual from purchasing, possessing, or receiving firearms for the duration of the order. The order does not protect
a named individual or address conduct other than firearm access.
Table 1: Statutory Names for Extreme Risk Protection Orders
State Statutory name
California Gun Violence Restraining Order
Colorado Extreme Risk Protection Order
Connecticut Risk Protection Order and Warrant
Delaware Lethal Violence Protective Order
District of Columbia Extreme Risk Protection Order
Florida Risk Protection Order
Hawai’i Gun Violence Protective Order
Illinois Firearms Restraining Order
Indiana
Seizure without Warrant, Warrant for Search and Seizure of a Firearm, Retention
of Firearm
Maryland Extreme Risk Protective Order
Massachusetts Extreme Risk Protection Order
Michigan
2
Extreme Risk Protection Order
Minnesota
3
Extreme Risk Protection Order
Nevada Order of Protection Against High-Risk Behavior
New Jersey Extreme Risk Protective Order
New Mexico Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order
New York Extreme Risk Protection Order
Oregon Extreme Risk Protection Order
Rhode Island Extreme Risk Protection Order
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
State Statutory name
Vermont Extreme Risk Protection Order
Virginia Substantial Risk Orders
Washington Extreme Risk Protection Order
How do ERPOs compare to domestic violence protection orders?
An ERPO is not meant to replace a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) or address any gaps in current
protection order systems. DVPOs are distinct tools designed to provide comprehensive protection for victims of
intimate partner violence, including removing firearms from a respondent who is harming an intimate partner.
ERPOs are intended to remove firearms from individuals experiencing temporary crises. Unlike DVPOs, ERPOs do
not provide specific protection to the petitioner and cannot restrict or prohibit the respondent from contacting or
communicating with another person, or restrain them from threatening, stalking, harassing, or assaulting someone.
ERPOs are not qualifying orders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) and ERPOs are not entitled to full faith and credit. For an
overview of significant dierences between ERPOs and CPOs, please see
Extreme Risk Protection Orders vs Domestic
Violence Protection Orders, What You Should Know.
Does my state have an extreme risk law?
Presently
4
, twenty-one states, and the District of Columbia have enacted extreme risk laws. For a detailed summary
of each statutory provision, please review the Extreme Risk Laws Statutes.
Some states like Oklahoma and West Virginia have enacted preemptive statutes that prevent state or local agencies
from implementing any extreme risk laws.
5
What is the typical process to obtain an ERPO?
Typically, to obtain an ERPO, an eligible person or entity must file a petition, providing suicient evidence that meets
the court’s burden of proof for a preliminary ex parte temporary ERPO. Once issued, law enforcement serves the
respondent with the order mandating the surrender of all firearms within the designated timeframe. This order will
also indicate the duration of the temporary order and the date set for the final hearing.
During the final hearing, both parties and witnesses can present relevant evidence. The judge will then evaluate
the evidence and decide on whether to issue a final ERPO. If the order is not granted, the respondent’s firearms
are returned unless another law prohibits their possession. If the ERPO is granted, the respondent cannot possess
firearms for the order’s duration. The respondent can petition the court to terminate the order early before the
original expiration date, which would typically initiate another hearing.
How much does it cost to file a petition?
Eleven ERPO statutes explicitly specify that petitioners should not bear any filing fees.
6
While Nevada doesn’t address
filing fees directly, it mandates that the court provides a free copy of an ex parte or final order to any family or
household member who files a petition.
7
Other jurisdictions do not mention filing fees at all.
What types of ERPOs are available?
Most jurisdictions typically issue two types of orders: a preliminary temporary ex parte order issued before a hearing,
and a final order granted aer a hearing.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
California has two kinds of these preliminary temporary ex parte orders:
• a “temporary emergency” order which is exclusive to law enforcement petitioners and can be made orally and,
• An “ex parte” order that allows a broader range of petitioners, including family members, but must be submitted
in writing.
8
In Maryland, there are two types of preliminary temporary ex parte orders: the “interim” ERPO and the “temporary”
ERPO. When the District Court is closed, a petitioner can approach a District Court commissioner, a judicial oicer
designated by the district court’s chief judge. This commissioner can issue an “interim” ERPO, which outlines the
dates for the subsequent “temporary” and final ERPO hearings, both to be conducted by a district court judge.
9
Indiana, on the other hand, stands out by permitting the search and seizure of a firearm without a court order or
warrant. Once the firearm is seized either with or without a warrant, a subsequent court hearing determines if law
enforcement has met the standard of proof to continue to retain the seized firearm.
10
Who is eligible to petition for an ERPO?
Some states limit eligible petitioners to government entities. Except for Vermont, every jurisdiction with an
ERPO statute allows law enforcement to petition
11
(in Vermont, the State’s Attorney or the Oice of the Attorney
General can petition for an ERPO as well as a family or household member). In some states like Florida, Indiana, New
Mexico, and Rhode Island, only law enforcement oicers can petition for an ERPO.
12
Virginia’s limits eligibility solely
to an attorney for the Commonwealth or a law enforcement oicer.
13
Although in New Mexico and Connecticut, non-law enforcement parties cannot be petitioners, certain non-law
enforcement individuals, such as family or household members, can formally request that law enforcement consider
filing an ERPO petition.
14
Moreover, within individual states, the eligibility to request dierent types of ERPOs can vary. For instance:
• In California, only law enforcement can petition for a “Emergency Gun Violence Restraining Order.”
15
• In Delaware, law enforcement alone can petition for an emergency order.
16
Most jurisdictions permit current and former intimate partners to petition. Most jurisdictions allow family or
household members to petition for an ERPO. The definition of a family or household member varies by jurisdiction
and can be very expansive. Most jurisdictions allow a current spouse to petition for an ERPO.
17
Ten jurisdictions
also allow former spouses to petition.
18
The majority of jurisdictions also allow current dating partners to petition.
19
Nine states also allow former dating partners to petition.
20
Thirteen jurisdictions allow a person who has a child in
common with the respondent to petition.
21
Massachusetts and New Jersey allow petitions by people who anticipate having a child with the respondent, even if
that child has not yet been born.
22
New York allows petitions by any category of people defined as victims of domestic
violence by regulations of the oice of children and family services.
23
Roommates/Co-habitants are eligible petitioners in many jurisdictions. Fourteen jurisdictions permit current
“roommates” or individuals living with respondent to petition for an ERPO
24
and eight jurisdictions also allow formal
cohabitants to do so.
25
California and Colorado mandate a recent cohabitation period of six months for eligibility, with
California adding a requirement of “substantial and regular interactions” for at least one year.
26
New York permits
anyone who has consistently lived with the respondent or has done so at “regular intervals” to petition for an ERPO.
27
States have varying eligibility requirements between family members related by blood, marriage, or
guardianship. California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Washington allow for any person related to the respondent by blood or
“consanguinity” to petition for an ERPO.
27
Other than intimate partners and those living in the same home as
the respondent, Oregon’s definition of a family or household member only includes the mother, father, child, or
sibling of the respondent to petition.
28
Minnesota’s definition also limits the eligibility to the respondent’s parents
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
and children.
29
New Jersey focuses on whether an individual is or was a member of the respondent’s household,
irrespective of their blood or ainity relation.
30
Ten jurisdictions permit those related to the respondent by marriage to petition for an ERPO.
31
In Nevada, eligibility
is confined to those related by blood, adoption, or marriage within the first degree.
32
California, meanwhile, allows
more distant relatives to petition, provided they have maintained regular contact with the respondent for at least
one year.
33
In six jurisdictions, an individual who has legal guardianship over the respondent may petition for an
ERPO.
34
Petition eligibility for non-law enforcement professionals are more limited. Several states empower specific
professionals outside of law enforcement to petition for an ERPO. Licensed health professionals who have directly
treated the respondent can file in Colorado, Washington D.C., Hawai’i, Maryland, Michigan and New York.
35
School
employees, such as teachers from institutions the respondent has attended, are also eligible in California, Colorado,
Hawai’i and New York.
36
Moreover, in Hawai’i and California, co-workers of the respondent are able to file a petition.
37
What liability concerns should petitioners be aware of when seeking an ERPO?
In many jurisdictions, individuals who intentionally provide false information in an ERPO petition or file with the
intent to harass may face criminal consequences.
37
Yet, many jurisdictions shield petitioners who file in good faith
from liability.
38
Alternatively, some jurisdictions provide immunity to petitioners who decide not to pursue an ERPO.
39
However,
certain states limit such immunity to specific groups, such as:
• Law enforcement
40
,
• Family or household members
41
, or
• Health professionals
42
.
Meanwhile, several statutes remain silent on the topic of liability.
How long do ERPOs last?
In the context of preliminary temporary ex parte orders, the time frame between issuance and a scheduled hearing
varies across jurisdictions, ranging from one to forty-five days. Some jurisdictions permit extensions to this period
at the respondent’s request, providing additional time for hearing preparation.
43
In Oregon, if a respondent fails to
request a hearing within 30 days of receiving an ex parte order, it automatically matures into a final order that lasts
one year.
44
Generally, final orders across various states typically last up to one year, with Vermont being an exception, capping
its final orders at six months.
45
California’s post-hearing ERPO demonstrates even more flexibility, with durations
that can extend from one to five years.
46
However, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey uniquely allow their final orders
to remain in eect indefinitely, until terminated by the court.
47
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table 2: Types of ERPOs, Length of Order and Persons Eligible
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
California
Gun Violence
Restraining Order
Temporar y
Emergency
48
21 days
49
Law enforcement oicer
50
Ex Parte
51
Up to 21 days
52
Immediate family member; employer;
coworker if they have had substantial
and regular interactions with the
subject for least one year and obtained
approval of the employer; school sta
member or teacher from a school the
individual attended in the past six
months with approval from a senior
school oicial; law enforcement
oicer; roommate of the subject of
the petition; an individual who has a
dating relationship with the subject of
the petition; or an individual who has
a child in common with the subject
of the petition, if they have had
substantial and regular interactions
with the subject for at least one year.
53
Order Issued Aer
Notice & Hearing
54
1 to 5 years
55
Colorado
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y
56
Expires on the date
and time of the hearing
on the extreme risk
protection order
petition OR withdrawal
of petition
57
Family or household member;
community member (health
professional, educator); law
enforcement oicer or agency
58
Final
59
364 days
60
Connecticut
Risk Protection
Order and Warrant
Ex parte
61
14 days
62
Two law enforcement oicers
or one state’s attorney or
assistant state’s attorney
63
Aer hearing
64
Indefinite or at least in
180-day increments if
respondent petitions
court to terminate
65
Delaware
Lethal Violence
Protective Order
Emergency
66
Usually 15 days, may
not exceed 45 days
67
Law enforcement oicer
68
Nonemergency
69
Fixed period of time
not to exceed 1 year
70
Family member or law
enforcement oicer
71
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
District of
Columbia
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Ex Parte
72
14 days & can be
extended in 14-day
increments for good
cause shown
73
Persons related by blood,
adoption, guardianship, marriage,
domestic partnership, having a
child in common, cohabitating,
or maintaining a romantic, dating
or sexual relationship; mental
health professionals; Metropolitan
police department member
74
Final
75
1 year
76
Florida
Risk Protection
Order
Temporar y
Ex Parte
77
Until a RPO hearing
is held (which is no
later than 14 days aer
court issues order)
78
Law enforcement oicer or agency
79
Final
80
A period the court
deems appropriate
up to and including
but not exceeding
12 months
81
Hawai’i
Gun Violence
Protective Order
Ex Parte
82
Until hearing that
should be held within
14 days of granting
of petition (hearing
time can be extended
by Respondent)
83
Law enforcement oicer; family
or household member; medical
professional; educator; or colleague
84
One-year
85
1 year
86
Illinois
Firearms
Restraining Order
Emergency
87
up to 14 days or until
there is a hearing
88
Family or law enforcement oicer
89
Plenary
90
Up to 1 year but not
less than 6 months
91
Indiana
Warrant for
Seizure and
Retention of
a Firearm
Seizure without
a Warrant
92
Until hearing date,
which should be
scheduled within 14
days but otherwise
as soon as possible. If
respondent requests
a continuance, then a
period of not more than
60 days aer seizure
93
Law enforcement oicer
94
Warrant for Search
and Seizure of
a Firearm
95
Retention of
Firearm Order
96
Indefinite or at least in
180-day increments if
respondent petitions
court to terminate
97
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
Maryland
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Interim
98
Until the temporary
order hearing (which
should occur on the 1st
or 2nd day on which
a District Court judge
is sitting aer interim
order issued or the end
of the second business
day aer interim order
is issued in which the
Oice of the District
Court Clerk is open
99
A physician, psychologist, clinical
social worker, licensed clinical
professional counselor, clinical nurse
specialist in psychiatric and mental
health nursing, psychiatric nurse
practitioner, licensed clinical marriage
or family therapist, or health oicer
or designee of a health oicer who
has examined the individual; a law
enforcement oicer; the spouse of
the respondent; a cohabitant of the
respondent; a person related to the
respondent by blood, marriage, or
adoption; an individual who has a child
in common with the respondent; a
current dating or intimate partner of
the respondent; and a current or former
legal guardian of the respondent.
100
Temporar y
101
Normally up to 7 days;
can be extended up to
6 months if necessary
to complete service;
if court is closed on
the day on which the
temporary order is
due to expire, the
temporary order shall
be eective until the
2nd day on which
the court is open
102
Final
103
up to 1 year
104
Massachusetts
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Emergency
105
Up to 10 days or until
a hearing is held
106
Family or household member or firearm
licensing authority of the municipality
where the respondent resides. The
local police department would be
considered the licensing authority.
107
Final
108
1 year
109
Michigan
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Immediate
Emergency
110
14 days
111
The spouse of the respondent; a
former spouse of the respondent, an
individual who has a child in common
with the respondent; an individual who
has or has had a dating relationship
with the respondent; an individual
who resides or has resided in the
same household with the respondent;
a family member; a guardian of the
respondent; a law enforcement
oicer, a health care provider.
112
Extended
113
1 year
114
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
Minnesota
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Emergency
115
Up to 14 days unless
a hearing is set on
an earlier date
116
The chief law enforcement
oicer; the chief law enforcement
oicer’s designee; a city or county
attorney, any family or household
members of the respondent; or a
guardian of the respondent.
117
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
118
The court shall
determine the length
of time the order is in
eect, but may not set
the length of time for
less than 6 months or
more than 1 year
119
Nevada
Order of
Protection Against
High-Risk Behavior
Emergency
120
Not to exceed 7 days
121
Law enforcement oicer or family
or household member
122
Extended
123
Up to 1 year
124
New Jersey
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Temporar y
125
Until a final order is
issued or denied
126
Family or household member or
law enforcement oicer
127
Final
128
Indefinite, until
terminated by
the court
129
New Mexico
Extreme
Risk Firearm
Protection Order
Temporar y
130
Valid for a maximum
of 10 days or until
there is a hearing,
whichever happens
first. Respondent can
request an extension
of up to 30 days.
131
Law enforcement oicer. If
Respondent is a law enforcement
oicer, then filed by district
attorney or attorney general
132
One-year
133
1 year
134
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
New York
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y
135
Until a hearing on
a final order (which
will take place 3-6
days aer service
of temporary order,
unless respondent
requests more time
beyond the 6 day
timeframe)
136
Law enforcement; or district attorney;
or family or household members,
school administrator or designee of
any school which the respondent
is currently enrolled or has been
enrolled in 6 months immediately
preceding the petition’s filing;
licensed health professional
137
Final
138
Up to 1 year, as
determined by the
court but if temporary
order was issued,
duration of the
final order will start
counting from the
day the temporary
order was issued
139
Oregon
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Ex Parte
140
Until hearing date;
within 30 days of
service, the respondent
can request a court
hearing; if requested,
both parties are
notified of the hearing
date within 21 days,
and if the respondent
doesn’t request a
hearing within 30 days,
the order automatically
remains eective for
one year or unless it’s
terminated earlier.
141
Law enforcement oicer or
household member
142
Final
143
1 year
144
Rhode Island
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y
145
Up to 14 days, until
a hearing is held to
determine if a one-
year order should
be issued
146
Law enforcement agency
147
Final
148
1 year
149
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types Length Eligible Petitoners
Vermont
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y
Ex Parte
150
Up to 14 days until
hearing date
151
State’s Attorney; the Oice of
the Attorney General; or a family
or household member
152
Final
153
Up to 6 months
154
Virginia
Substantial
Risk Order
Emergency
155
Shall expire at 11:59
p.m. on the fourteenth
day following issuance
of the order but if court
isn’t in session on that
day then it’s extended
until when the court
is next open
156
Attorney for the Commonwealth
or a law enforcement oicer
157
Final
158
Lasts up to 180 days.
The order shall expire
at 11:59 p.m. on the
last day specified
or at 11:59 p.m. on
the last day of the
180-day period if no
date is specified
159
Washington
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y
Ex Parte
160
Up to 14 days, until
a hearing is held
161
Intimate partner or a family or
household member; or a law
enforcement agency
162
Full
163
1 year
164
What is the standard of proof necessary for an ERPO?
Depending on the jurisdiction, a preliminary temporary ex parte order may be granted based on various legal
standards, including:
• Reasonable cause/grounds
165
,
• Good cause
166
,
• Probable cause
167
,
• Substantial likelihood
168
,
• Preponderance of the evidence
169
, or
• Clear and convincing evidence
170
.
Of these legal standards, “reasonable cause/grounds” and “substantial likelihood” are generally considered more
relaxed, while “clear and convincing” is among the strictest thresholds to meet.
In Vermont, the ERPO statute has a dual approach. When the petitioner is either the state’s attorney or the oice of
the attorney general, a “preponderance of the evidence” standard is applied. However, family or household members
face a stier requirement, needing to meet the “clear and convincing” evidence standard.
171
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan’s approach to ERPOs also has its distinctions. Whether or not the petitioner is law enforcement, the court
can issue an immediate emergency ERPO without notice to the respondent. However, law enforcement is permitted
to verbally request the order while non-law enforcement petitioners must provide a written petition.
172
Another notable nuance lies in the criteria for temporary versus final ERPOs in many jurisdictions. While the findings
for both types of orders are oen similar, temporary ERPOs in certain states carry an additional emphasis on the
“imminence” or “immediacy” of the threat.
173
For final ERPOs issued post-hearing, the predominant standards of proof are either preponderance-of-the-
evidence
173
or clear-and-convincing-evidence
174
, with the latter being the most common. While the preponderance
of the evidence standard is met if there’s a greater than 50% chance the petition’s allegations are true, the clear-
and-convincing-evidence standard, though not as stringent as “beyond a reasonable doubt” used in criminal cases,
demands the evidence to strongly indicate that the allegations are highly probable or reasonably certain.
175
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table 3: Standards of Proof and Findings Required
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
California
Gun Violence
Restraining
Order
Temporar y
Emergency
Reasonable
Cause
176
(1) The subject of the petition poses an immediate
and present danger of causing personal injury
to himself, herself, or another by having in his
or her custody or control, owning, purchasing,
possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition.
(2) A temporary emergency gun violence restraining
order is necessary to prevent personal injury to
the subject of the petition or another because
less restrictive alternatives either have been
tried and found to be ineective or have been
determined to be inadequate or inappropriate for
the circumstances of the subject of the petition.
Ex Parte Substantial
likelihood
177
(1) The subject of the petition poses a significant
danger, in the near future, of causing personal injury
to the subject of the petition or another by having
in their custody or control, owning, purchasing,
possessing, or receiving a firearm as determined
by considering the factors listed in Section 18155.
(2) An ex parte gun violence restraining order is
necessary to prevent personal injury to the subject
of the petition or another because less restrictive
alternatives either have been tried and found to be
ineective or are inadequate or inappropriate for
the circumstances of the subject of the petition.
Order Issued
Aer Notice
& Hearing
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
178
(1) The subject of the petition, or a person subject
to a temporary emergency gun violence restraining
order or an ex parte gun violence restraining
order, as applicable, poses a significant danger of
causing personal injury to themselves or another
by having in the subject’s or person’s custody
or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or
receiving a firearm, ammunition, or magazine.
(2) A gun violence restraining order is necessary
to prevent personal injury to the subject of the
petition, or the person subject to an ex parte
gun violence restraining order, as applicable,
or another because less restrictive alternatives
either have been tried and found to be
ineective, or are inadequate or inappropriate
for the circumstances of the subject of the
petition, or the person subject to an ex parte
gun violence restraining order, as applicable.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
Colorado
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y Preponderance
of the
Evidence
179
The respondent poses a significant risk of
causing personal injury to self or others in
the near future by having in the respondent’s
custody or control a firearm or by purchasing,
possessing, or receiving a firearm.
Final Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
180
The respondent poses a significant risk of causing
personal injury to self or others by having in the
respondent’s custody or control a firearm or by
purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.
Connecticut
Risk Protection
Order and
warrant
Investigation Good Faith
belief (for
investigation)
181
Person poses a risk of imminent personal injury
to such person’s self or to another person.
Ex parte Probable
Cause
182
Risk Protection
Order
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence (at
hearing)
183
Delaware
Lethal Violence
Protective Order
Emergency Preponderance
of the
Evidence
184
Respondent poses an immediate and present
danger of causing physical injury to self or others
by owning, possessing, controlling, purchasing,
having access to, or receiving a firearm.
Nonemergency Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
185
District of
Columbia
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Ex Parte Probable
Cause
186
Respondent poses a significant danger of
causing bodily injury to self or others by
having possession or control of, purchasing,
or receiving any firearm or ammunition.
Final Preponderance
of the
Evidence
187
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16
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
Florida
Risk Protection
Order
Temporar y
Ex Parte
Reasonable
Cause
188
Respondent poses a significant danger of
causing personal injury to himself or herself or
others in the near future by having in his or her
custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing,
or receiving, a firearm or ammunition.
Final Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
189
Respondent poses a significant danger of
causing personal injury to himself or herself
or others by having in his or her custody or
control, or by purchasing, possessing, or
receiving, a firearm or any ammunition.
Hawai’i
Gun Violence
Protective Order
Ex Parte Probable
Cause
190
Respondent poses an imminent danger of causing
bodily injury to the respondent’s self or another
person by owning, purchasing, possessing,
receiving, or having in the respondent’s custody
or control any firearm or ammunition.
One-year Preponderance
of the
Evidence
191
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
bodily injury to the respondent’s self or another
person by owning, purchasing, possessing,
receiving, or having in the respondent’s custody
or control any firearm or ammunition.
Illinois
Firearms
Restraining
Order
Emergency Probable
Cause
192
Respondent poses an immediate and present
danger of causing personal injury to himself,
herself, or another by having in his or her custody
or control, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a
firearm, ammunition, or firearm parts that could
be assembled to make an operable firearm.
Plenary Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
193
Respondent poses a significant danger of
personal injury to himself, herself, or another
by having in his or her custody or control,
purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm,
ammunition, and firearm parts that could be
assembled to make an operable firearm.
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17
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
Indiana
Seizure without
a Warrant,
Warrants for
Search and
Seizure of
a Firearm,
Retention of
Firearm Order
Seizure
without a
Warrant
Probable
Cause
194
(1) The individual is “dangerous,”
which is established if:
The individual presents an imminent risk of personal
injury to the individual or to another individual; or
It is probable that the individual will present a risk
of personal injury to the individual or to another
individual in the future and the individual:
has a mental illness (as defined in IC 12-7-2-
130) that may be controlled by medication, and
has not demonstrated a pattern of voluntarily
and consistently taking the individual’s
medication while not under supervision; or
is the subject of documented evidence that would
give rise to a reasonable belief that the individual
has a propensity for violent or suicidal conduct.
(2) The “individual is in possession of a firearm.”
Warrants for
Search and
Seizure of
a Firearm
Probable
Cause
195
Retention of
Firearm Order
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
196
Maryland
Extreme Risk
Protective
Order (ERPO)
Interim Reasonable
Grounds
197
Respondent poses an immediate and present danger
of causing personal injury to the respondent, the
petitioner, or another by possessing a firearm.
Temporar y Reasonable
Grounds
198
Final Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
199
Respondent poses a danger of causing personal
injury to the respondent, the petitioner,
or another by possessing a firearm.
Massachusetts
Extreme Risk
Protective
Order (ERPO)
Emergency Reasonable
Cause
200
Respondent poses a risk of causing bodily
injury to self or others by being in possession
of a license to carry firearms or a firearm
identification card or having in the respondent’s
control, ownership or possession a firearm, rifle,
shotgun, machine gun, weapon or ammunition.
Final Preponderance
of the
Evidence
201
Respondent poses a risk of causing bodily injury
to self or others by having in the respondent’s
control, ownership or possession a firearm, rifle,
shotgun, machine gun, weapon or ammunition.
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18
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
Michigan
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Immediate
Emergency
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
202
Immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or
damage will result from the delay required to
eectuate notice or that the notice will itself
precipitate adverse action before an extreme
risk protection order can be issued.
*If petitioner is law enforcement: Oicer
is responding to a complaint involving
the respondent and the respondent can
reasonably be expected within the near future
to intentionally or unintentionally seriously
physically injure the respondent or another
individual by possessing a firearm.
203
Extreme Risk
Protection
Order
Preponderance
of the
Evidence
204
Respondent can reasonably be expected within
the near future to intentionally or unintentionally
seriously physically injure himself, herself, or
another individual by possessing a firearm, and has
engaged in an act or acts or made significant threats
that are substantially supportive of the expectation.
Minnesota
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Emergency Probable
Cause
205
(1) Respondent poses a significant danger of
bodily harm to other persons or is at significant
risk of suicide by possessing a firearm, and,
(2) Respondent presents an immediate
and present danger of either bodily harm
to others or of taking their life.
Extreme Risk
Protection
Order
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
206
Respondent poses a significant danger
to other persons or is at significant risk
of suicide by possessing a firearm.
Nevada
Order of
Protection
Against High-
Risk Behavior
Emergency Preponderance
of the
Evidence
207
That a person poses an imminent risk of causing
a self-inflicted injury or a personal injury to
another person by possessing, controlling,
purchasing or otherwise acquiring any firearm;
(2) The person engaged in high-risk behavior; and,
(3) Less restrictive options have been
exhausted or are not eective.
Extended Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
208
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19
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
New Jersey
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Temporar y Good Cause
209
Respondent poses an immediate and present
danger of causing bodily injury to the respondent
or others by having custody or control of, owning,
possessing, purchasing, or receiving a firearm
Final Preponderance
of the
Evidence
210
Respondent poses a significant danger of bodily
injury to the respondent’s self or others by
having custody or control of, owning, possessing,
purchasing, or receiving a firearm, the court
shall issue an extreme risk protective order.
New Mexico
Extreme
Risk Firearm
Protection Order
Temporar y Probable
Cause
211
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
imminent personal injury to self or others by
having in the respondent’s custody or control or
by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm
before notice is served and a hearing held.
One-year Preponderance
of the
Evidence
212
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
imminent personal injury to self or others by
having in respondent’s custody or control or by
purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.
New York
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Temporar y Probable
Cause
213
Respondent is likely to engage in conduct that would
result in serious harm to himself, herself or others,
as defined in paragraph one or two of subdivision
(a) of section 9.39 of the mental hygiene law.
N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 9.39(a):
“Likelihood to result in serious harm”
as used in this article shall mean:
1. substantial risk of physical harm to himself
as manifested by threats of or attempts at
suicide or serious bodily harm or other conduct
demonstrating that he is dangerous to himself, or
2. a substantial risk of physical harm to other
persons as manifested by homicidal or other
violent behavior by which others are placed in
reasonable fear of serious physical harm.
Final Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
214
Oregon
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Ex Parte
215
Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
Respondent presents a risk in the near future,
including an imminent risk, of suicide or of
causing physical injury to another person.
Final
216
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20
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Types
Standards
of Proof
Findings Required
Rhode Island
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Temporar y Probable
Cause
217
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
imminent personal injury to self or others by
having in his or her custody or control, or by
purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm
before notice can be served and a hearing held.
One-year Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
218
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
imminent personal injury to self or others by
having in his or her custody or control, or by
purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm.
Vermont
Extreme Risk
Protective Order
Temporar y
Ex Parte
219
If Pet. Is State’s
Attorney,
Attorney
General:
Preponderance
of the Evidence
If Pet. Is family
or household
member: Clear
and Convincing
Respondent poses an imminent and extreme risk
of causing harm to himself or herself or another
person by purchasing, possessing, or receiving
a dangerous weapon or by having a dangerous
weapon within the respondent’s custody or control.
Final Clear and
Convincing
220
Respondent poses an extreme risk of causing
harm to himself or herself or another person by
purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous
weapon or by having a dangerous weapon
within the respondent’s custody or control.
Virginia
Substantial
Risk Order
Emergency Probable
Cause
221
Person poses a substantial risk of personal injury
to himself or others in the near future by such
person’s possession or acquisition of a firearm.
Final Clear and
Convincing
Evidence
222
Washington
Extreme Risk
Protection Order
Temporar y Reasonable
Cause
223
Respondent poses a significant danger of causing
personal injury to self or others in the near future
by having in the respondent’s custody or control,
purchasing, possessing, accessing, receiving, or
attempting to purchase or receive, a firearm.
Final Preponderance
of the
Evidence
224
Respondent poses a significant danger of
causing personal injury to self or others by
having in the respondent’s custody or control,
purchasing, possessing, accessing, receiving, or
attempting to purchase or receive, a firearm
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21
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
What type of evidence is required to obtain an ERPO?
To obtain an ERPO, a petitioner must present evidence demonstrating that the respondent poses a danger to
themselves and others. Courts across jurisdictions evaluate a range of evidence to make their determinations.
Typical types of evidence evaluated by the court concerning the respondent include:
• Threats or acts of violence,
225
• History of violating protection orders,
226
• Substance abuse,
227
• Weapons brandishing,
228
• A recent acquisition of a firearm,
229
• Mental health history,
230
• History of stalking,
231
• History of domestic violence crimes,
232
• Cruelty to animals.
233
Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont consider the existence various types of protection order (including
CPOs or ERPOs) against the respondent, irrespective of any violation.
234
New Mexico and Oregon focus exclusively on
evidence of previous ERPOS only.
235
Some jurisdictions include a catchall provision, allowing for the consideration of any relevant evidence,
236
while
Delaware, Indiana and Massachusetts do not provide a specific list of evidence.
240
How are ERPOs served on the respondent?
In many jurisdictions, law enforcement oicers are typically responsible for personally serving an ERPO notice to
the respondent.
237
In fact, New Jersey explicitly prohibits asking family or household members to serve the order.
238
When serving an ERPO, some jurisdictions require law enforcement to inquire if the respondent has any firearms,
ammunition, or magazines in their custody and control.
239
While personal service is standard, some states permit alternative methods like mail, especially when personal service
is not feasible.
240
However, in Michigan if an immediate firearm surrender is ordered, personal service is mandatory.
241
In several states, as long as the respondent attended an ERPO hearing, personal service is not required.
242
What happens if an ERPO request is denied?
Typically, if an ERPO request is denied, the respondent can retain and/or access firearms, provided they are not
prohibited by another laws. If any firearms were temporarily seized pending the ERPO hearing, those firearms would
be returned to the respondent, unless, again, there was another legal basis that would justify their retention or in
some jurisdictions like Nevada, aer a certain time period following the denial of the petition.
243
If the petitioner
wishes to file another ERPO petition, they would be required to present new evidence suicient to meet the requisite
standard of proof.
What relief is available under an ERPO?
All ERPO statutes prohibit respondents from possessing or obtaining firearms for the duration of the order. Beyond
this foundational restriction, many jurisdictions also prohibit respondents from possessing ammunition.
244
Several
states also further require respondents to surrender any concealed carry permits or firearms licenses they might
hold.
245
Certain state provisions oer a unique set of provisions: for example, Delaware’s ERPO not only bans the
possession of firearms and ammunition but also inhibits firearms access by restricting respondents from living with
anyone who owns or possesses these items.
246
Illinois’s ERPO statute extends its prohibitions to include “parts that
could be assembled to make an operable firearm.”
247
Meanwhile, Vermont broadens the scope of its ERPO to cover
not just firearms but also other “dangerous weapons,” which notably includes explosives.
248
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22
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
How are firearms relinquished/removed?
Under an ERPO, a respondent is typically required to either voluntarily surrender their firearms and ammunition or
face law enforcement seizure of these items. Most jurisdictions provide the respondent an opportunity for voluntary
surrender.
249
Specific states like Colorado and Minnesota have provisions for antique firearms, permitting their
transfer to eligible relatives.
250
In the majority of states, respondents have the option to request that law enforcement
sell or transfer their firearms and ammunition to a licensed dealer or another approved third party.
251
What happens if the respondent does not turn over their firearms?
Nine states authorize law enforcement to obtain search warrants for ERPO enforcement aer the respondent has
been served with the order.
252
Some jurisdictions like the District of Columbia, Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey,
New York, Illinois and Rhode Island have provisions allowing courts to simultaneously issue an ERPO and a search
warrant.
253
Minnesota, in particular, oers respondents the chance to voluntarily hand over all firearms before the
execution of the search warrant.
254
Unlike most jurisdictions, Connecticut’s and Indiana’s ERPO procedures primarily operate through warrants.
255
In
Indiana, law enforcement can retain firearms seized without a warrant, provided they establish probable cause by
submitting an aidavit within 48 hours of the seizure, identifying the respondent as a “dangerous individual” in
possession of a firearm.
256
Conversely, states like California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont do not expressly mention the
use of warrants in their ERPO statutes.
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23
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table 4: Firearms relinquishment/removal process
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
California Upon the issuance of the order, the respondent
must surrender all firearms and ammunition:
immediately to law enforcement upon their
request or, if no immediate request is made,
within 24 hours to either a local law enforcement
agency or a licensed firearms dealer.
Within 48 hours of surrender, the respondent
must provide both the court and the serving
law enforcement agency with a receipt
proving the surrender, sale, or transfer
of the firearms and ammunition.
Failure to provide this receipt is a
violation of the restraining order.
257
Statute is silent.
Colorado The respondent must surrender all firearms by:
Selling/transferring to a federally
licensed firearms dealer;
Storing with a law enforcement agency;
Transferring possession of specific antique
firearms or curios to an eligible relative;
Respondents also need to surrender any concealed
carry permit to the serving law enforcement oicer.
Law enforcement must request immediate
surrender of all firearms and any concealed
carry permits when serving the order.
The respondent within 48 hours of the ERPO
issuance, must provide proofs of firearm and
permit relinquishment to the court or attest
to the court that they don’t possess any
firearms or a concealed carry permit
258
If the respondent fails to
surrender or is suspected
of not complying, the court
may issue a search warrant
to seize firearms and any
concealed carry permits
259
Connecticut Aer risk protection order is issued,
seized firearms and ammunition will be
held until the order’s termination.
The respondent can transfer firearms/
ammunition to a federally licensed firearm
dealer. Once the involved parties notify in
writing, the state agency holding the items must
deliver them to the dealer within 10 days
260
Warrant to search and seize
firearms and ammunition is
issued if court finds probable
cause (1) the respondent
possesses one or more firearms
or other deadly weapons, and
(2) such firearm or firearms or
other deadly weapon or deadly
weapons are within or upon
any place, thing or person.
261
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24
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Delaware The respondent must surrender any firearms or
ammunition to designated law enforcement agency.
The respondent is allowed to voluntarily relinquish
to law enforcement or to hand over items to an
approved designee who doesn’t live with the
respondent as long as designee can assure court that
they will prevent respondent from accessing items.
The respondent is prohibited from living
with another individual in possession
of firearms or ammunition
262
Court may authorize law
enforcement to promptly
search for and confiscate
any firearms or ammunition
that the respondent owns,
possesses, or controls.
263
District of
Columbia
When serving ERPO, law enforcement must:
Ask the respondent to immediately
surrender all firearms, ammunition,
and related licenses/registrations.
Take possession of all surrendered or
those found during a lawful search.
If someone other than the respondent is the
lawful owner of any seized firearm or ammunition,
it will be returned to them, given the items are
stored out of the respondent’s reach.
264
Aer ERPO is issued, court may
also issue an accompanying
search warrant.
265
Florida When serving ERPO, law enforcement must:
Request the respondent to immediately
surrender all firearms, ammunition, and
any concealed weapon licenses.
If the respondent was present at the hearing
or if personal service isn’t possible, they must
surrender these items to the local law enforcement
right aer the order is served or the hearing.
Aer surrender, law enforcement will:
Issue a receipt of all surrendered items
and provide a copy to the respondent.
File original receipt with court within 72 hours.
266
Aer ERPO is issued, if there is
probable cause to believe the
respondent failed to surrender.
all firearms/ammunition,
court may issue warrant
267
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25
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Hawai’i The respondent can either voluntarily
surrender or dispose of all firearms and
ammunition under their control
Law enforcement serving ERPO have authority to:
Seize any firearms and ammunition in plain sight
or discovered during a consensual search.
Accept firearms willingly surrendered
by the respondent.
If not personally served by law enforcement,
the respondent has 48 hours post-service to
surrender these items to their local police chief.
Law enforcement must provide a receipt for
surrendered items, submitting the original to
the court within 72 hours and ensuring the
county police department keeps a copy.
268
If the court has probable cause
to believe the respondent
hasn’t surrendered all firearms/
ammunition or has obtained
new ones while under the
order, it may issue a search
and seizure warrant
269
Illinois
270
The respondent must surrender concealed
carry license and Firearm Owner’s Identification
Card to local law enforcement
Any seized items are reported by law enforcement
within 4 days of the search warrant’s execution.
The respondent, or another claiming title,
can petition the court to transfer the items to
a law-abiding third party who doesn’t share
the respondent’s address, with an aidavit
ensuring non-transfer back to the respondent.
If ERPO is ordered, court can
upon finding probable cause
that the respondent possesses
firearms, ammunition and
firearm parts issue a search
warrant for those items.
This may include search the
respondent’s residence or
other likely locations.
271
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26
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Indiana Law enforcement may seize a firearm from
an individual with or without a warrant.
If a seizure was done without a warrant, a court
will review an aidavit submitted by the law
enforcement oicer to determine if there was
probable cause that the individual was dangerous.
Once hearing is completed and court
grants state’s request, court will order law
enforcement to retain firearm for duration of
retention order and suspend licenses.
272
Court may issue warrant if :
Law enforcement provides a
sworn aidavit that states why
law enforcement believes the
respondent is “dangerous” and
in possession of a firearm;
Law enforcement describes
interactions and conversations
with the respondent or
other credible witness;
Law enforcement provides
location of firearm;
There is probable cause
to believe the respondent
is dangerous and in
possession of a firearm.
273
Maryland The respondent must surrender all firearms
and ammunition to law enforcement.
Law enforcement can also arrest the respondent
if there is probable cause to believe they are
violating an order, even if there is no warrant
The respondent can sell/transfer title to
licensed firearm dealer or eligible 3rd party
274
Law enforcement can apply for
a warrant if they have probable
cause to believe the respondent
is violating an ERPO.
275
Massachusetts
276
The respondent must surrender all firearms,
related licenses and ammunition to local
licensing authority (law enforcement).
The respondent can also sell all items
to licensed firearms dealers.
Law enforcement provides a receipt for all
surrendered items and files it with court.
Statute is silent
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27
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Michigan Within 24 hours, the respondent must
surrender any firearms to law enforcement
or to a licensed firearm dealer
Within 1 business day of receiving or having notice
of the ERPO, the respondent must either verify
to the issuing court that all firearms and any
concealed pistol license they had are surrendered
or that they didn’t possess any to begin with and
remain without them at the time of verification.
If compliance isn’t met within 1 business day,
the court clerk informs the designated local
law enforcement. law enforcement must then
check if R has retained firearms or a license.
The court also schedules a compliance hearing
within 5 days of serving the order.
277
Non-compliance or absence
from compliance hearing
can result in arrest, search
warrants, and potential
contempt of court charges.
If there’s belief that the
respondent possesses a firearm
or concealed pistol license, an
aidavit can be filed by the
prosecutor or law enforcement.
The court then decides if there’s
probable cause, which can lead
to arrest, hearings, and search
warrants to seize any firearms
or licenses believed to be in the
respondent’s possession.
278
Minnesota
279
Within 24 hours of ERPO issuance, the respondent
must transfer any firearms to either a licensed
firearm dealer or law enforcement.
The respondent can transfer certain antique
firearms or relics to a relative not living with them.
Proof of transfer from either law enforcement or a
licensed dealer or a declaration of non-possession
should be submitted to law enforcement.
For emergency orders or
immediate and present danger
findings where there is probable
cause that the respondent
possesses firearms, court
may issue search warrant
for firearm seizure but the
respondent has option to
voluntarily surrender firearms
before warrant’s execution.
Seized firearms can be
transferred to a licensed
dealer with appropriate proof
of transfer and proof must be
filed within 2 business days.
280
Nevada The respondent must immediately surrender
firearms to law enforcement, upon surrender R and
court will receive a receipt within 1 business day.
281
If there is probable cause to
believe that the respondent
hasn’t complied with ERPO,
court can issue warrant.
282
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28
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
New Jersey The respondent must immediately
surrender to law enforcement:
All firearms and ammunition they
own, possess or control;
Any associated firearm purchaser
identification card or permits.
The respondent is also prohibited from
purchasing firearms, ammunition or
applying for any related permits.
The respondent can opt to have law enforcement
sell their firearms and ammunition to a
federally licensed firearms dealer.
Surrender receipts are provided by either the
law enforcement oicer or licensed dealer. The
respondent must then file this receipt with the
county prosecutor within 48 hours, with failure
to do so being a contempt of the order.
283
If a respondent’s ownership
of firearms or ammunition is
indicated in the ERPO, a search
warrant is simultaneously
issued, compelling immediate
surrender to law enforcement.
If the respondent, already
served with a protective
order, does not surrender
firearms or ammunition as
stipulated, the issuing court
can grant a search warrant
to retrieve those items.
284
New Mexico The respondent served with ERPO must
surrender all firearms to a law enforcement
oicer/agency or a federal firearms licensee
within 48 hours or sooner if directed by court.
Upon taking possession of firearms, law
enforcement/federal firearms licensee must
generate a receipt and distribute copies to
both the respondent and the petitioner.
Original receipt should be filed with issuing
court within 72 hours of firearm possession and
copy must be retained by law enforcement.
285
Statute is silent
New York The respondent is to immediately surrender all
firearms to law enforcement serving ERPO.
Law enforcement must take possession
of all firearms that are in plain sight or
discovered pursuant to a lawful search.
The respondent’s firearm licenses are
suspended, and they are prohibited from
buying or possessing firearms.
286
As part of ERPO, Court may also
include a search warrant.
287
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29
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Oregon The respondent must, within 24 hours:
Surrender all deadly weapons to law enforcement,
a gun dealer or a lawful 3rd party;
Hand over any concealed handgun
license to law enforcement.
During service, law enforcement:
Will ask the respondent to surrender
deadly weapons and concealed
handgun licenses immediately.
If serving a continued/renewed order,
law enforcement may conduct lawful
searches for deadly weapons.
For any weapons or licenses handed over,
law enforcement will provide a receipt
detailing surrendered items and file
receipt within 72 hours of service.
288
Statute is silent
Rhode Island The respondent is obligated to immediately contact
law enforcement to arrange for the surrender of
any firearms in the respondent’s custody, control
or possession that have not already been seized.
The respondent must also surrender
any concealed carry permit.
289
When an order is issued, if
probable cause to believe the
respondent owns firearms, an
accompanying warrant is also
issued for search of all firearms
in the respondent’s possession,
custody, or control.
290
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30
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Vermont If ordered by an ERPO, the respondent must
immediately surrender any dangerous weapon
(other than firearms) they own to law enforcement.
The weapon will then be given to ATF.
For firearms, they must be immediately surrendered
to law enforcement or a licensed firearms dealers
unless the court provides an alternate solution.
Court may order the respondent to
surrender firearms to a third party as long
as 3rd party doesn’t pose a safety risk.
The 3rd party must:
Confirm they received firearm;
Attest to safely storing firearms;
Assure they can legally own firearms;
Understand obligations, including
the risk of penalties if firearms are
accessed by unauthorized people.
If there’s a breach, all items must be surrendered
to law enforcement or licensed firearms dealer
law enforcement is authorized to
enforce ERPO including collecting and
disposing dangerous weapons.
291
Statute is silent.
Virginia The respondent is advised to voluntarily relinquish
any firearms or concealed handgun permits that
have not already been taken by law enforcement.
The respondent can transfer items to another
eligible individual under specific conditions,
such as the recipient not living with them
and being approved by the court. The firearm
should be handed over to the new owner
within five days of court approval.
292
Law enforcement can get a
search warrant to find any
firearms if there is a belief
that the respondent has not
given up all weapons aer
ERPO is issued and served.
293
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31
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions General Process Warrant Authority
Washington Law enforcement serving the order should
ask the respondent to surrender their
firearms and concealed pistol licenses. They
can also conduct legal searches for such
firearms and should seize any they find.
The respondent must immediately surrender
all firearms and concealed pistol licenses not
previously surrendered in a safe manner to law
enforcement on the hearing date where the
respondent was present in person or remotely or
if the respondent was not present within 24 hours
aer being served with order by alternate service.
Law enforcement taking firearms &
licenses should provide a receipt and file
with the court within 72 hours.
294
If there is probable cause
to believe that R hasn’t
surrendered all firearms,
court will issue warrant
295
Is notification provided to a person at risk of harm from the respondent?
Several jurisdictions have provisions to ensure that individuals potentially at risk of harm, notably a respondent’s
family or household members, are informed about ERPO-related proceedings or events. For example, Maryland
requires that final orders be served on all people the court deems “appropriate” and if there are any modifications or
recissions of an ERPO, notice must be given to all “aected persons.”
296
In Florida, Illinois and Washington, petitioners are obligated to make a good faith eort to notify the respondent’s
family or household members either about their intent to file an ERPO or that they have already done so. Distinctively,
Illinois enforces this notification for all petitioners, whereas Florida and Washington restrict it to only law enforcement
petitioners.
297
Meanwhile, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Washington require courts to inform petitioners in
advance about an ERPO’s approaching expiration.
298
Rhode Island specifically instructs law enforcement petitioners
to give a 14-day notice to the respondent’s family or household members about an ERPO’s impending lapse.
299
In
New Jersey, local law enforcement is tasked with giving a 10-day notification to these members before returning any
firearms or ammunition to the respondent.
300
New York has a similar requirement but it’s limited to notifying only the
petitioner and licensing oicers.
301
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table 5: Notification of Persons at Risk
Jurisdiction Notification Procedure – Statutory Language
California Statute is silent.
Colorado If the court issues an ERPO and the petitioner is a law enforcement oicer or
agency or community member, the petitioner shall make a good-faith eort to
notify the respondent’s family or any third party at potential risk of violence.
302
If the law enforcement can’t serve within 5 days, they’ll inform the petitioner, who should
then provide more details about the respondent’s location to facilitate service.
303
The court will inform the petitioner 63 days prior to the
expiration of an extreme risk protection order.
304
Connecticut Statute is silent.
Delaware Statute is silent.
District of
Columbia
The court will notify the petitioner 120 days before a final ERPO
expires, also advising on renewal procedures.
305
If the Metropolitan Police Department can’t personally serve the respondent
within 7 days of receiving a court order, they will notify the petitioner.
306
Florida The petitioner must make a good faith eort to notify the respondent’s family or any
known third party who may be at risk of violence and provide them with relevant
resources like mental health and counseling. The petitioner must confirm in the
petition that they’ve given this notice or describe the steps they’ll take to do so.
307
The court must inform the petitioner at least 30 days in advance of a ERPO’s expiration.
308
Hawai’i Statute is silent.
Illinois If the respondent poses an immediate and present danger to an intimate partner,
the petitioner must try to notify all of the respondent’s intimate partners
about the impending emergency firearms restraining order. If the petitioner
is a law enforcement oicer, they should also provide relevant domestic
violence resources when appropriate. The petitioner must confirm in the oicial
documents that they provided this notice or detail their attempts to do so.
309
If a respondent’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card is revoked or suspended, they can
ask the court to transfer their firearms, ammunition, and related parts to someone legally
able to possess them, as long as that person doesn’t live with the respondent. The person
protected by the emergency firearms restraining order must be notified of this request.
310
Indiana Statute is silent.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Notification Procedure – Statutory Language
Maryland A copy of the final extreme risk protective order shall be served on the petitioner, the
respondent, the appropriate law enforcement agency, and any other person the judge
determines is appropriate in open court or, if the person is not present at the final extreme
risk protective order hearing, by first-class mail to the person’s last known address.
311
A final extreme risk protective order may be modified or rescinded during
the term of the extreme risk protective order aer: (i) giving notice to
all aected persons and the respondent; and (ii) a hearing.
312
Massachusetts At least 30 days before an ERPO expires, the court will notify the petitioner, at their last
known address, about the upcoming expiration and the option to renew the order.
313
At least 7 days before an extreme risk protection order expires, the licensing
authority will inform the petitioner about the order’s expiration and the upcoming
return of the respondent’s firearms license, guns, and ammunition.
Upon learning of an extreme risk protection order’s termination, the licensing authority
holding any surrendered weapons or ammunition will promptly inform the petitioner
about the order’s end and the return of the respondent’s firearms license and firearms,
rifles, shotguns, machine guns, weapons or ammunition to the respondent
314
Michigan Statute is silent.
Minnesota Statute is silent.
Nevada Statute is silent.
New Jersey At least 10 days before returning firearms or ammunition, the local police will
inform the family or household member. If the State Police seized the items, the
county prosecutor’s oice handling the ERPO will provide the notification.
315
New Mexico Statute is silent.
New York Upon the protection order’s expiration, if the respondent applies and aer notifying
the petitioner and relevant licensing oicers, the court will order the return of any
surrendered firearms to the respondent, given there’s no legal other legal impediment.
316
Oregon Statute is silent.
Rhode Island 14 days before a one-year ERPO expires, the original petitioner must inform all relevant
parties, including the respondent’s family or household members, in writing.
317
If requested by the court or petitioner, a law enforcement agency must notify
relevant parties, including the respondent’s family or household members, about
the impending return of a firearm to the respondent, as outlined in § 8-8.3-6.
318
Vermont Statute is silent.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Notification Procedure – Statutory Language
Virginia Statute is silent.
Washington If the petitioner is a law enforcement agency , they must make a good faith
eort to notify the respondent’s family or any known third party who may
be at risk of violence and provide them with relevant resources like mental
health and counseling. The petitioner must confirm in the petition that
they’ve given this notice or describe the steps they’ll take to do so.
319
The court must notify the petitioner of the impending expiration of
an extreme risk protection order. Notice must be received by the
petitioner 105 calendar days before the date the order expires.
320
Can an ERPO be terminated prior to the expiration date?
In all jurisdictions, respondents are permitted to request the termination of an ERPO before its expiration date.
However, in eleven of these jurisdictions, respondents are explicitly restricted to a single termination request for
each duration the order remains active.
321
Specifically in Minnesota, courts may issue an ERPO for a period ranging
from 6 months to a year. During each 6-month span the order is active, the respondent has the right to apply for its
termination once, irrespective of whether the order’s initial duration was set for only six months
.
322
On the other
hand, states like Connecticut, California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and New Mexico
do not specify any limits on the number of times a respondent can petition for the termination of an ERPO.
323
Can an ERPO be extended/renewed?
In every jurisdiction with time-limited final orders (thus excluding Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey), the petitioner
can seek an extension or renewal before the order’s expiration. Seven of these states permit individuals who would
have been qualified to file for an order initially to request a renewal, even if they weren’t the original petitioners.
324
In Vermont, while family or household members can petition for an ERPO, they cannot request its renewal. Only the
State’s Attorney or the Oice of the Attorney General have that authority.
325
In Michigan, either the original petitioner
or the court sua sponte, on its own motion, may extend an ERPO.
326
How and when are firearms returned to the respondent?
Aer the termination or expiration of an ERPO, the respondent is expected to request the return of their firearms
either from the relevant law enforcement agency or by seeking a court order. Some jurisdictions like Colorado, the
District of Columbia, and Maryland, require law enforcement to notify the respondent when they are eligible to have
their firearms returned to them.
327
In most states except for Indiana, New York, and Vermont, if a respondent requests
the return of their firearms aer the termination of an order, the law enforcement agency must return them, unless
other laws prohibit it.
328
This is typically verified through a firearms background check. However, Indiana, Nevada,
New York, and Vermont require a court order in order to return firearms to a respondent even aer its expiration.
329
Notably, New Mexico’s statute states that a respondent cannot be required to acquire a court order to grant the
return of relinquished firearms.
330
What happens to unclaimed firearms?
In most jurisdictions, with the exceptions of New Mexico, Nevada, and Delaware, firearms not reclaimed by the
respondent aer an ERPO’s expiration are legally deemed unclaimed or abandoned. Consequently, the law
enforcement agency in possession of these firearms takes responsibility for their management and disposition.
Statutes in many jurisdictions stipulate a specific waiting period before law enforcement discretion can be
exercised.
331
However, the determination of this waiting period varies:
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
• In Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington, the timeline is based on the internal policies of the
holding law enforcement agency.
332
• Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and New Jersey mandate a one-year waiting period post-ERPO expiration before
initiating the firearms disposal process.
333
• New York sets the waiting period at two years, while Vermont requires just ninety days.
334
• In Indiana, where an ERPO’s expiration is undefined, the waiting period can last as long as five years from the first
hearing date.
335
In Maryland, unclaimed firearms or ammunition can be destroyed by law enforcement agencies six months aer
notifying the respondent of the ERPO’s end.
335
In Massachusetts, if the holding agency cannot identify a lawful owner
for the firearms 180 days post-ERPO expiration, they may commence disposal.
336
Moreover, six states provide immunity to law enforcement agencies against damage to the seized or surrendered
firearms, unless the damage results from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
337
Indiana does
not have an immunity provision in its statute and instead explicitly imposes liability due to negligence during the
firearm’s storage or handling.
338
Table 6: Firearms Disposal
Jurisdictions Disposal process
California
339
Any firearm held by law enforcement for at least 180 days as
unclaimed or abandoned must be sold or destroyed.
Colorado
340
Any firearm surrendered or taken pursuant to an ERPO that remains unclaimed
for at least 1 year aer the related order’s expiration will be disposed of
according to the law enforcement agency’s firearm disposal policies.
Connecticut
341
The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or
any local police department holding on their behalf, cannot destroy
any seized firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition under this section
until at least one year aer the warrant’s termination date.
Delaware Statute is silent.
District of
Columbia
342
If the respondent neither requests the return of a firearm or ammunition within
6 months aer an extreme risk protection order ends nor sells or transfers them,
the Metropolitan Police Department will consider them as surrendered.
Florida
343
If firearms and ammunition surrendered by a respondent remain unclaimed
by the lawful owner for 1 year aer a risk protection order is vacated, it will
be disposed of as per the law enforcement agency’s disposal policies.
Hawai’i
344
A county police department can only dispose of a firearm or ammunition held from a
respondent 6 months aer notifying the respondent of their intent unless it’s claimed
by the lawful owner within that period. Aer six months post-notice, if unclaimed,
the department can dispose of it and no one can claim ownership thereaer.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions Disposal process
Illinois
345
If the firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an
operable firearm or Firearm Owner’s Identification Card cannot be returned to the
respondent due to them being unlocatable, unresponsive, or ineligible to possess
them, the court may authorize local law enforcement to either destroy, use for
training or repurpose the items as deemed appropriate by local law enforcement.
Indiana
346
If at least five (5) years have passed since a court conducted the first
hearing to retain a firearm under this chapter, the court, aer giving notice
to the parties and conducting a hearing, may order the law enforcement
agency having custody of the firearm to dispose of the firearm.
Maryland
347
Respondent can request that the agency holding the firearm to destroy it.
If a firearm or ammunition is not reclaimed within 6 months
aer the provision of notice to a respondent:
(1) No party shall have the right to assert ownership of the firearm or ammunition; and
(2) The law enforcement agency holding the firearm or
ammunition may destroy the firearm or ammunition.
Massachusetts
348
If the licensing authority holding the firearms can’t determine a lawful owner within 180
days aer an order ends, they may destroy the firearms or sell them to a licensed dealer.
Michigan
349
If a restrained individual fails to reclaim a firearm under subsection within 90
days aer the extreme risk protection order expires or is ordered terminated,
the law enforcement agency storing the firearm shall do 1 of the following:
(a) Proceed as for a firearm subject to disposal under sections 239 and 239a
of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.239 and 750.239a.
(b) Follow the procedures for property under 1987 PA 273, MCL 434.21 to 434.29.
Minnesota
350
A licensed firearms dealer or law enforcement agency may establish policies
for disposal of abandoned firearms, provided these policies require that
the respondent be notified prior to disposal of abandoned firearms.
Nevada Statute is silent.
New Jersey
351
The law enforcement agency may destroy the firearms and ammunition according
to their own policies and procedures at least one year aer the order has expired.
New Mexico Statute is silent.
New York
352
Law enforcement may destroy a firearm pursuant to NY CLS Penal
§ 400.05 but they must wait at least 2 years before doing so unless
legally transferred by the respondent to an eligible individual.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdictions Disposal process
Oregon
353
Any unclaimed weapon shall be disposed of in accordance with
the law enforcement agency’s policies and procedures.
Rhode Island
354
State police are authorized to develop procedures for termination of seized firearms.
Vermont
355
If respondent fails to claim their firearms 90 days aer a court order
releasing them, firearms may be sold for fair market value.
Virginia
356
A firearm seized or surrendered under the ERPO statute and held by law enforcement
can be disposed of in accordance to provisions of § 15.2-172 if the owner provides a
written disposal authorization or the firearm is held over 120 days post-expiration/
termination of the order and the respondent has not submitted a request for the return.
Washington
357
If respondent does not claim their firearms aer the order
ends, then the law enforcement agency holding them must
dispose of them under the agency’s own procedures.
How can we ensure an ERPO is enforced?
ERPOs should be promptly served and entered into all applicable state, local, and federal databases or registries to
facilitate enforcement.
One notable database is the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This is a national system that
checks criminal and civil records to determine if an individual is legally barred from buying or possessing firearms,
with data sourced from local, state, tribal, and federal entities. Eleven jurisdictions explicitly mandate that ERPOs
are reported to and/or inputted into the NICS system.
358
However, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland and Vermont do not have statutory requirements for law enforcement or
another agency to input ERPOs into either a state or federal database. In Connecticut, uniquely, a respondent is
registered in the NICS database during the investigation phase, not aer a formal hearing, rendering them ineligible
to possess or access firearms.
359
For individuals who are petitioners in both a CPO/DVPO and an ERPO against the same respondent, it’s crucial that
orders are cross-referenced on each document. Such individuals are advised to always have copies of both the CPO
and ERPO with them. If either order is breached, the jurisdiction overseeing the enforcement of the orders should
inform the jurisdiction that issued the order promptly. It is also important that individuals in this situation understand
that full faith and credit is to be accorded to CPOs across state and tribal lines, but this does not extend to ERPOs.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Table 7: Statutory mandates for ERPO entry into state and national databases
Jurisdiction Statutory requirements for entry of ERPOs
California
360
Law enforcement seeking an order must have the order entered
into the computer database system for protective and restraining
orders maintained by the Department of Justice.
If the order is dissolved or terminated, the court notifies the
Department of Justice within five court days.
The Department of Justice will update the order’s status within 15
days of receiving a notice of dissolution or termination.
Law enforcement oicers must submit proof of service of the order
to the California Restraining and Protective Order System within one
business day and send the original proof to the issuing court.
If someone other than a law enforcement oicer provides proof of service, the court clerk
must submit it within one business day to the same system. If electronic transmission
is unavailable, the court sends the proof to a local law enforcement agency for entry.
Colorado
361
Court clerk must immediately input any issued ERPO into a statewide judicial system.
On the same day an order is issued, the clerk forwards it to the
Colorado bureau of investigation and law enforcement specified on
the order, which then logs it into NICS and any other national and state
databases, where it remains until its expiration or termination.
Within 3 days of issuing an order, the court sends the respondent’s details to the local
county sheri to check for concealed carry permits, which are revoked if found.
If an order is terminated early, the court clerk notifies the Colorado bureau of
investigation and specified law enforcement, to immediately remove it from all databases.
At the order’s expiration, relevant agencies are responsible
for its removal from the databases.
Connecticut
362
Upon a court’s order for a risk protection investigation, the Commissioner of
Emergency Services and Public Protection is notified, and the order, application,
and aidavit are transmitted to the local law enforcement agency. The subject
of the investigation is immediately marked as ineligible for firearms in the
NICS. If the agency finds no probable cause of risk within 48 hours, they notify
relevant parties, and any NICS record from the investigation is promptly
removed; the same removal occurs once a risk protection order ends.
Delaware Statue is silent.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Statutory requirements for entry of ERPOs
District of
Columbia
363
The Metropolitan Police Department must:
Maintain a database of extreme risk protection orders (issued, terminated, renewed).
Share this information with the Superior Court of D.C., the Attorney General’s Oice,
and relevant law enforcement or community supervision agencies upon request.
The Mayor (or their designee) must promptly submit details about
extreme risk protection orders to NICS for firearm buyer checks.
Florida
364
Within 24 hours aer issuance, the court clerk must enter any
ERPO into the uniform case reporting system.
Court clerk must send a copy of the order to the law
enforcement agency identified in the ERPO.
That law enforcement agency must enter into the Florida
Crime Information Center and NCIC.
If the order is vacated, the law enforcements agency must
promptly delete the order from the system.
Hawai’i
365
The court must inform the Hawai’i criminal justice data center within one
business day of any actions related to a gun violence protective order.
The court must provide specific details about the petitioner,
respondent, and order status, including expiration dates for one-
year orders, to the Hawai’i criminal justice data center.
The Hawai’i criminal justice data center will keep a database of this
information, accessible to law enforcement agencies.
The Hawai’i criminal justice data center must share details of gun violence protective
orders with NICS within 1 business day for firearm purchase background checks.
Illinois
366
Sheris must daily provide the Illinois State Police with details of firearms restraining
orders, ensuring same-day entry into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS).
The Illinois State Police will keep systematic records of all firearms restraining
orders, using the data to inform oicers about order details.
Indiana Statute is silent.
Maryland Statute is silent.
Massachusetts On the same day an ERPO is issued, the court clerk sends a copy to the
local licensing authority, the probation commissioner, the criminal justice
department, which must transmit the report to the U.S. Attorney General
for NICS, and related state and federal databases. Once the order expires or
is terminated, the court clerk notifies these entities that same day.
367
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Statutory requirements for entry of ERPOs
Michigan
368
Upon receiving a true copy of an ERPO, the designated law enforcement agency must:
Enter the order into the law enforcement information network,
unless a local entering authority is designated.
Report the order entry to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information
Services Division for the national crime information center.
When a restrained individual reclaims a firearm from a law enforcement agency, the
agency should update the law enforcement information network and inform the FBI
that the court has authorized the firearm’s return due to the expiration of the ERPO.
Minnesota
369
The court administrator must send any extreme risk protection order or its
extensions to the local police overseeing the respondent’s residence within
24 hours and to the NICS within 3 days. When such an order ends, the court
will request its removal from the system. Law enforcement agencies must
share the order’s details and status with other law enforcement oicers.
Nevada
370
When a court issues, serves or takes any action related to an ERPO,
the person serving the order shall by next business day:
Transmit required information to the Central Repository
for Nevada Records of Criminal History;
Send a copy of the order to the Attorney General.
If the order is terminated, the Central Repository must remove
the ERPO from its database within 5 business days.
New Jersey
371
The Administrative Oice of the Courts will maintain an electronic registry
of individuals with a final extreme risk protective order, and all persons who
have been charged with ERPO violations. When an ERPO terminates, its
information will be removed from the registry except data about violations.
New Mexico
372
Court clerks must provide a copy of any ERPO to designated
law enforcement agencies for NICS
The designated law enforcement agency must enter the order into:
NICS;
All relevant federal or state systems identifying prohibited firearm purchasers, and;
All state-used criminal intelligence databases.
When the order expires, the same agency must remove it from all systems
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Statutory requirements for entry of ERPOs
New York
373
The court must notify and provide copies of any ERPO to:
Division of state police;
Relevant law enforcement agencies;
Applicable licensing oicers and;
Division of criminal justice services.
This should be done by the next business day aer the order
is issued, using electronic formats as prescribed.
Upon receiving an ERPO, the division of criminal justice services should:
Instantly report the order’s existence to the FBI to help
identify individuals barred from buying firearms.
Immediately inform the FBI about the expiration, amendment, or revocation of
such orders or when a respondent’s firearm purchasing rights are restored.
Oregon
374
Upon receiving a copy of the ERPO and completion of service
by law enforcement, the county sheri must:
Immediately enter the ERPO into the Law Enforcement Data
System maintained by the Department of State Police
Request that the ERPO is entered into NICS
If ERPO was served by someone other than law enforcement, sheri shall
perform the same actions upon receiving a copy of proof of service.
Rhode Island
375
The court clerk must send a copy of the ERPO to the
attorney general. The attorney general shall:
Input the order into NICS.
Input the order to all relevant federal or state databases to
identify those prohibited from buying firearms.
Register the order in all state computer-based criminal
intelligence systems used by law enforcement.
Ensure the order remains in these systems for its duration and
only removes them when it’s terminated or expired.
Vermont Statute is silent.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Jurisdiction Statutory requirements for entry of ERPOs
Virginia
376
Court must immediately enter and electronically transfer details respondent to the
Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) by the end of the business day it was issued.
ERPO information must be send to law enforcement
agency designated to serve and enter ERPO.
That law enforcement agency must:
Verify and enter any necessary modifications in VCIN, and;
Enter date and time of service into VCIN
Washington
377
Upon receipt of the ERPO, the law enforcement must:
Immediately enter the order into NICS.
Enter the order into any federal or state computer-based
systems that identify prohibited firearm purchasers.
Include the order in any state computer-based criminal
intelligence system listing outstanding warrants.
The criminal intelligence system’s data should indicate the order’s method
of service, whether personal, electronic, via publication, or by mail.
How can our jurisdiction collaborate with local military installations to
prevent unauthorized firearm access?
To ensure the eective enforcement of orders and removal of firearms, collaboration between law enforcement
and military installations is essential. Law enforcement agencies and military installations should establish a
memorandum of understanding to streamline the enforcement of ERPOs, CPOs, and military protection orders.
Additionally, local advocacy groups should partner with family advocacy personnel on military bases to enhance the
safety of domestic abuse victims, both on and o the installation.
Best Strategies
The eectiveness of ERPOS requires: (1) appropriate stakeholder education; (2) centralized reporting and data
collection; and (3) widespread support across system actors for practical implementation. Adopting this victim/
survivor-centered approach promotes community safety and may reduce gun-related intimate-partner violence.
Stakeholder Education
• Ensure stakeholders understand the dierences between CPOs and ERPOs and the proper role of each.
• Develop and implement comprehensive ERPO training tools and resources for law enforcement oicers, court
clerks, judges, and advocates.
• Provide clear and accessible instructions on how to obtain an ERPO to potential petitioners.
Reporting
• Utilize local, state, tribal and national reporting databases to identify firearm possession and restrictions and
track ERPO compliance.
• Establish data collection methods and metrics to track ERPO outcomes at local, state, tribal, and national levels.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Practical Execution
• Create safety protocols for firearms in the respondent’s household irrespective of who owns such firearms.
• Allocate resources for wraparound services for petitioners partnering with advocacy groups, social services, and
organizations that support survivors.
Information and Resources for Stakeholders
Stakeholders must develop multidisciplinary and specialized training that oers clear guidance and resources on
ERPOs. It’s vital to prioritize training for attorneys, advocates assisting victims, first responders, and service providers
who regularly assist and/or encounter petitioners. All stakeholders should collaboratively review the ERPO process
regularly to ensure that policies and protocols are both current and eectively implemented.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Endnotes
1 For clarity and conciseness, given the dierent names assigned to orders under extreme risk laws in various jurisdictions, this
document will refer to orders issued under extreme risk laws as “ERPOs.”
2 Eective January 2024.
3 Eective January 2024.
4 Minnesota and Michigan’s ERPO statute will take eect in 2024.
5 Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1289.24c; W. Va. Code Ann. §§ 61-7B-3, 5-6.
6 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18121; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-104(6); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(2)(H); Illinois: 430
Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/10(c), 67/60(d); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131R(c); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(Subd.
4)(h); New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(c), -(i); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.527(11); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-2;
Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann, tit. 13, § 4053(g); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7-105-105(9)(a).
7 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.620(7).
8 Cal. Penal Code § 18125.
9 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-603
10 Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-2, -3, -5, -8.
11 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18125, 18165; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-103(1)(a), -104; Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §
29-38c(c)-(e); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7703(a), 7701(4), 7704(a). District of Columbia: D.C. Code §§ 7-2510.01(2) -.02; -.04;
Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 790.401(1)(a); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5; Indiana: Ind.
Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-2, -3; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 121, Note:
In Massachusetts, the statute designates a “firearm licensing authority,” as an eligible petitioner. According to the state’s website,
such licensing authority would be considered local law enforcement. See Gun Ownership in Massachusetts, Mass.gov, https://www.
mass.gov/info-details/gun-ownership-in-massachusetts#agencies-involved-in-firearms-licensing-; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws
Serv. §§ 691.1807(4), 691.1805(2); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(Subd. 3)(b); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.560(1)-(2); New
Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-21; New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-2(G); -5(A); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); Oregon: Or. Rev.
Stat. § 166.527(1); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-1(8), -(5); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(a); Virginia: Va. Code Ann.
Ann. § 19.2-152.13(A); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.100(e).
12 Fla. Stat.§ 790.401(2)(a); Ind. Code § 35-47-14-2; R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-1(8); N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-2, Note: in New Mexico, if the
respondent is a law enforcement oicer, the petition shall be filed by the district attorney or the attorney general. N.M. Stat § 40-
17-5(a).
13 Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.13.
14 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-5(D); Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38c(a), -(b)(1).
15 Cal. Penal Code § 18125(a).
16 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703(a).
17 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(A), (a)(3); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(A), (c). Note: In California, a spouse can petition
for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(a), 13-14.5-103, 13-
14.5-104; Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 901(12). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition for
an emergency order, although spouses can petition for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis. Del. Code Ann.
tit. 10, § 7704(a); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat.
Ann. 67/5; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(iii); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan:
Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2)(a); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(b)(1); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.540(1); New Jersey:
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(b); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.527(1),
166.525(2); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, §§ 4051(7); 4053. Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§ 7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(13)(a), -(20).
18 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(g), 18-6-800.3(2); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 1041(2)(b); Hawai’i:
Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5; Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 121; Michigan: Mich.
Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2)(b); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(b)(1); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-21; New York: N.Y.
C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(c); Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§ 7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(20).
19 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(G), (a)(2); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(G), (b); Cal. Penal Code § 243(f)(10). Note: In
California, a spouse can petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat.
§§ 13-14.5-102(5)(g), 18-6-800.3(2) (“past or present unmarried couples”); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 1041(2)
(b). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition for an emergency order, although dating partners can petition
for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis; District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw.
Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(vii); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R;
Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2)(d); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(b)(4); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.540(6);
New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(f); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat.
§§ 166.527(1), 166.525(2) (“intimate partner”); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, §§ 4051(7), 4053; Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§
7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(20).
20 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(g), 18-6-800.3(2) (“past or present unmarried couples”); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit.
10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 1041(2)(b). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition for an emergency order, although former
dating partners can petition for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis.”; Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61;
Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(vii); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich.
Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2)(d); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §
459-a(2)(f); Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§ 7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(20).
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
21 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18150(a)(1)(H) (“An individual who has a child in common with the subject of the petition, if they
have had substantial and regular interactions with the subject for at least one year.”) Note: In California, a spouse can petition for
an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(b); Delaware: Del.
Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7701(4)(a), Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 1041(2)(b). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition
for an emergency order, although dating partners can petition for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis;
District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5 (“person
with whom the respondent has a minor child in common”); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(vi); Massachusetts:
Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2)(c); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.540(2); New
Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(d); Washington: Wash Rev. Code
§§ 7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(20).
22 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 121; N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21.
23 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(g).
24 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(F), (a)(4); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(F), (d). Note: In California, a roommate can petition
for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(c); District of
Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5; Maryland: Md.
Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(vii); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv.
§ 691.1805(2)(e); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(b)(3); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21 (“any other person who is a present
household member or was at any time a household member”); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(e);
Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.527(1), 166.525(2); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, §§ 4051(7), 4053; Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§
7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(13)(b).
25 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(F), (a)(4); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(F), (d). Note: In California, a former roommate
can petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)
(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv.
§ 691.1805(2)(e); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21 (“any other person who is a present household member or was at any
time a household member”); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(e); Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§
7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(13)(b).
26 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(F), (a)(3); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(A), (c). Note: In California, a roommate can
petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)(c).
27 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(A), (a)(4); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(F), (d). Note: In California, a family member
can petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)
(a); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 901(12). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition for an
emergency order, although family partners can petition for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis. District
of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-61; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5; Maryland: Md.
Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(v); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv.
§§ 691.1803(d), 691.1805(2)(f); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat.§§ 33.540(1); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)
(a); Washington: Wash Rev. Code §§ 7.105.100(1)(e); 7.105.010(13)(b).
28 Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.527(1), 166.525(2).
29 Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(b)(2).
30 N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21.
31 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(A), (a)(4); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(F), (d). Note: In California, a family member
can petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(5)
(a); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4)(a), 901(12). Note: In Delaware, only a law enforcement oicer can petition for an
emergency order, although family partners can petition for a lethal violence protective order on a “nonemergency” basis. District
of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)
(2)(v); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131R; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691.1803(d), 691.1805(2)(f);
Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat.§§ 33.540(1); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2); N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 459-a(2)(a)
32 Nev. Rev. Stat.§§ 33.540(1).
33 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(A), (a)(4); Cal. Penal Code §§ 18170(a)(1)(F), (d). Note: In California, a family member can
petition for an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order.
34 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-102(5)(f); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.01(2)(A); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-
61; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e)(2)(viii); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691.1805(g); Nevada: Nev. Rev.
Stat.§§ 33.540(6).
35 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(1), -(9); Washington, D.C.: D.C. Code §§ 7-2510.01(2)(C), 7-1201.01(11); Hawai’i: Haw.
Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-61; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(2)(i); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691.1803(b),
691.1805(2)(i); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6340(2)(d).
36 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1)(D), §§ 18170(a)(1)(D). Note: In California, a non-law enforcement oicial can petition for
an ex parte and final order but not a temporary emergency order. Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-102(1)-(2), 13-14.5-103(1)(a),
13-14.5-104(1)(a); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-61; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2)(c).
37 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18200; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-113(2); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(11); Massachusetts:
Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131V; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1819(4); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7177(Subd. 1);
Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.660; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.543(3); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-10(c); Vermont:
Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4058(b)(2); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.16; Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.460.
38 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-113(1); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(13) (no explicit mention of “good faith” requirement);
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/75; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-602(d); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7178(Subd.
4); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6348; Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-11; Virginia: Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.17 (no explicit
mention of “good faith” requirement); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.575.
39 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18109 (protection is limited to law enforcement agency or law enforcement oicer); Colorado: Colo.
Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-113(4); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7707; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(13); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat.
Ann. § 134-72; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/75; Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131X; Minnesota: Minn. Stat. §
624.7178(Subd. 1); New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-22; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6348; Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-11;
Virginia: Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.17; Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.575.
40 Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7707; Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/75; New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-22; Rhode
Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-11; Virginia: Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.17
41 Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131X
42 Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7178(Subd. 4); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6348
43 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64(i); Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-5(b); N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 40-17-6(C)-(E); N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(4)(d)(ii).
44 Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.527(9)-(10).
45 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(e)(2).
46 Cal. Penal Code § 18175(e)(1).
47 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(f); Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-8; N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-24(d).
48 Cal. Penal Code §§ 18125-18148.
49 Cal. Penal Code § 18125.
50 Cal. Penal Code § 18125.
51 Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150-18165.
52 Cal. Penal Code § 18165.
53 Cal. Penal Code §§ 18150(a)(1), 18170(a)(1).
54 Cal. Penal Code § 18170.
55 Cal. Penal Code § 18175(e)(1).
56 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-103.
57 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-103(5)(b).
58 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-103(1)(a), -104.
59 Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-14.5-104-105.
60 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-105(2).
61 Conn. Gen. Stat. §29-38c(a)-(c).
62 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(e).
63 Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-38c(c)-(e).
64 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a).
65 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(f).
66 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703.
67 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703(f).
68 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703(a).
69 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704.
70 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(j).
71 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §§ 7701(4), 7704(a).
72 D.C. Code § 7-2510.04.
73 D.C. Code § 7-2510.04(h).
74 D.C. Code §§ 7-2510.01(2), -.02; -.04.
75 D.C. Code § 7-2510.03.
76 D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(i).
77 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(4).
78 Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 790.401(4)(f); -(3)(a).
79 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(1)(a).
80 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3).
81 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(b).
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
82 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64.
83 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64(i).
84 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-61.
85 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-61, -65.
86 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-61, -65.
87 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/35.
88 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/35(i).
89 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/5.
90 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40.
91 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g).
92 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-3.
93 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-5(b)
94 Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-2, -3.
95 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-2, -5.
96 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-8.
97 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-8.
98 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-603
99 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-603(b)(1)(ii), -(e).
100 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(e).
101 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-604.
102 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-604(c).
103 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605.
104 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(f).
105 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131T.
106 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131T(a).
107 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 121; Gun Ownership in Massachusetts, Mass.gov, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/gun-ownership-in-
massachusetts#agencies-involved-in-firearms-licensing-.
108 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131R-S.
109 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 121.
110 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807.
111 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(3)(a).
112 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1805(2).
113 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807.
114 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1809(k).
115 Minn. Stat. § 624.7174.
116 Minn. Stat. § 624.7174(e).
117 Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(Subd. 3)(b).
118 Minn. Stat. § 624.7172.
119 Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(e).
120 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 33.570-575.
121 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.575(1).
122 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.560(1)-(2).
123 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 33.575-33.580
124 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.575(4).
125 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23.
126 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(h).
127 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-21.
128 N.J. Rev. Stat. §§ 2C:58-24,-25.
129 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-24, -25.
130 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-6.
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
131 N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 40-17-6(C)-(E).
132 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-2(G); -5(A)
133 N.M. Stat. Ann. § § 40-17-2(F); -8
134 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-2(F).
135 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342.
136 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(4)(d)(ii).
137 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6340(2).
138 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343.
139 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(3)(c).
140 Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.527.
141 Or. Rev. Stat. §§166.527(9)-(10).
142 Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.527(1).
143 Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.530.
144 Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.530(3)(a)(A).
145 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4.
146 R.I. Gen. Laws § § 8-8.3-4(f).
147 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-1(8), -(5).
148 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5.
149 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(a).
150 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054.
151 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054(c)(1).
152 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(a).
153 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053.
154 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(e)(2).
155 Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.13.
156 Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.13(D).
157 Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.13(A).
158 Va. Code Ann. Ann. §§ 19.2-152.14.
159 Va. Code Ann. Ann. § 19.2-152.14(C).
160 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.330.
161 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 7.105.100(8); 7.105.330(4).
162 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.100(e).
163 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.1052.335.
164 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.505(1)
165 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18125(a); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(4)(c); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-604(a)(1);
Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131T(a); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.330(2).
166 New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(e).
167 Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a), (b)(3); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.04(e); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-
64(f); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/35(f); Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-3(a)-(b), 35-47-14-3(d), 35-47-14-1; Minnesota:
Minn. Stat. § 624.7174(c); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-6(A); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(1); N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 9.39(a);
Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4(a); R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4(a); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.13(A).
168 Cal. Penal Code § 18150(b).
169 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-103(3); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703(d); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.570(1);
Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054(b)(1)(A), Note: in Vermont, if the Petitioner is a State’s Attorney or the Oice of the Attorney
General, the standard is preponderance-of-the-evidence.
170 Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(2); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(6)(a); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054(b)
(1)(A), Note: In Vermont, if the Petitioner is a family or household member, the standard is standard if clear-and-convincing.
171 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054(b)(1)(A).
172 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691.1807(2), -(4).
173 District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(g); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-65(c); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140,
§ 131S(c); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. §§ 2C:58- 24(b); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann.
§ 40-17-8(A); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.225(1)(e).
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
174 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18175(b); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(2); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-
38c(c); -(e); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(b); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.
67/40(f ); Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-6(c); -1; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(c)(1)(ii); Minnesota: Minn. Stat.
§ 624.7172(Subd. 2)(a); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.580(1); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(2); N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 9.39(a);
Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.530(3)(b); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(a); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(e)(1);
Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(A).
175 See Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418 (1979); Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, “preponderance of the evidence,”
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/preponderance_of_the_evidence#:~:text=Preponderance%20of%20the%20evidence%20
is,a%C2%A0civil%C2%A0trial, “clear and convincing evidence,” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/clear_and_convincing_
evidence.
176 Cal. Penal Code § 18125(a).
177 Cal. Penal Code § 18150(b).
178 Cal. Penal Code § 18175(b).
179 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-103(3).
180 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(2).
181 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(b)(2).
182 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a), (b)(3)
183 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(c); -(e).
184 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7703(d).
185 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d).
186 D.C. Code § 7-2510.04(e).
187 D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(g).
188 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(4)(c).
189 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(b).
190 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64(f).
191 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-65(c).
192 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/35(f).
193 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(f).
194 Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-3(a)-(b) (the law enforcement oicer’s aidavit must “set forth the quantity and type of each firearm
seized from the individual,” in order for the court to find that probable cause exists to believe that warrantless seizure was justified.),
Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-3 (d), 35-47-14-1.
195 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-2(a)(3), -1.
196 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-6(c); -1.
197 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-603(a)(1).
198 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-604(a)(1).
199 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(c)(1)(ii).
200 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131T(a).
201 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131S(c).
202 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(2).
203 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(4).
204 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1).
205 Minn. Stat. § 624.7174(c).
206 Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(a).
207 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.570(1).
208 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.580(1).
209 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(e).
210 N.J. Rev. Stat. §§ 2C:58- 24(b).
211 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-6(A).
212 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-8(A).
213 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(1); N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 9.39(a).
214 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(2); N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 9.39(a).
215 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(6)(a).
216 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.530(3)(b).
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
217 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4(a).
218 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(a).
219 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4054(b)(1)(A).
220 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(e)(1).
221 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.13(A)
222 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(A)
223 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.330(2)
224 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.225(1)(e).
225 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18155(b)(1)(A)-(B), (F); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(a)-(b); Connecticut: Conn.
Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(c); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev.
Stat. Ann. § 134-64(d); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(e); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-602(a)(1)(vi); Michigan:
Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.500(1); New
Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(2); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat.
Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(c)(2); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. §
19.2-152.14(A); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
226 California: Cal. Penal Code §§ 18155(b)(1)(C)-(D), -(b)(2)(D)-(F); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(c)-(d); District of
Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64(d); Illinois:
430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(e); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-602(a)(1)(vi); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §
691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.500(2); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. §§
2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(2); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode
Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
227 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18155(b)(2)(F); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(j); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §
29-38c(c); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §
134-64(d); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(e); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-602(a)(1)(vi); Michigan: Mich. Comp.
Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.500(1); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat.
Ann. § 40-17-7; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(2); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b);
Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
228 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18155(b)(2)(A); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(g); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §
29-38c(c); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §
134-64(d); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(e); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-602(a)(1)(vi); Michigan: Mich. Comp.
Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(2); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat.
Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b) (includes a provision about brandishing the weapon “through social
media”); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
229 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18155(b)(2)(G); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(I); District of Columbia: D.C. Code §
7-2510.03(e); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-64(d); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat.
§ 33.500(1); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(2);
Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
230 Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(c); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c);
Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-
17-7; Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b)
231 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(h); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd.
2)(b); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4);
Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
232 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(3)(e); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2C:58-
23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b);
Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.215(3).
233 Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(c)(1)-(3); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. §
624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-23(f); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §
166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b).
234 Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7172(Subd. 2)(b); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-
23(f); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4053(c)(3).
235 New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-7; Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(b).
236 Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(3)(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-65(b); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(c)
(2)(i); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(1); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(4); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-
5(c); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(A).
237 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18160(b); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-106(1); District of Columbia: D.C. Code §§
7-2510.05(a)(1), 7-2510.03(b); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-63(d), 134-64(h), 134-65(e); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch.
140, § 131S(a); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1813; Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.620; New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. §
2C:58-23(i); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-9; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6342(6)-(8), 6343(3); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §§
8-8.3-6(a), 8-8.3-4(g); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 7.105.330(5), 7.105.340.
238 N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(i).
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239 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18160(b)(3); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-108(2)(a); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6342(8);
Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.340(2).
240 Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(g); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(5); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/30, Ill. Sup. Ct.,
R11; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety §§ 5-604(b)(2), 5-605(e); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 131S(a); Minnesota:
Minn. Stat. §§ 624.7171(Subd. 4)(h)-(i). 624.7172(d)-(i); New Jersey: N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2C:58-23(i); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §§
8-8.3-6(b), 8-8.3-4(g); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.340(2).
241 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1813.
242 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-106(5); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.05(b); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-
65(e); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(e); Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.620; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.535(9)(a);
Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4056(b); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 7.105.340.
243 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.650(8)
244 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18120(a); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c.; Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d); District
of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.07; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(b)-(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-67(a); Illinois: 430
Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g-5)-(i-6); Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605; Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S;
New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26.
245 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-108.District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.07; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(b)-(c); Illinois:
430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g-5)-(i-6); 65/9.5, 66/70; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691-1809-691.1810; Massachusetts:
Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S; New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26; Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.537; Rhode Island: R. I.
Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(f)(6); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14; Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.340.
246 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d)
247 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(h).
248 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4051.
249 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18120; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-108; Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d); District
of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.07; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(b)-(c); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-67(a); Maryland:
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605(c)(3); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691-
1809-691.1810; Minnesota: Minn. Stat. §§ 624.7172(Subd. 2), 624.7175; Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.600.; New Jersey: N.J. Stat.
Ann. § 2C:58-26; New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-10; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6343(3)(b)-(4); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §
166.537; Rhode Island: R. I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(f)(6); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4058; Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14;
Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.340.
250 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-108; Minn. Stat. § 624.7175.
251 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18120; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-108; Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c; Delaware: Del.
Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.09; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(9); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp.
Stat. Ann. 67/40(i-5); Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. §35-47-14-10; Maryland: Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-608(c)(1)(i); Massachusetts:
Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(j); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691-1809; Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7175; Nevada: Nev.
Rev. Stat. § 33.600.; New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26; New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-10. New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6344;
Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.537 Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-8(c)(1); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4058-4059
Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(D).
252 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-108(4); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(7)(d); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-67(d);
Maryland: Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 5-607; Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1810; Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.600(3);
New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26; Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(B); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.340(b)(3)-(4).
253 District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.07a; Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g-
5); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7175; New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26(b); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(3)(d); Rhode Island:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4(b)
254 Minn. Stat. § 624.7175.
255 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a); Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-2.
256 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-3.
257 Cal. Penal Code § 18120.
258 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14.5-108.
259 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-108(4)
260 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c.
261 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(a).
262 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d)
263 Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7704(d)
264 D.C. Code § 7-2510.07.
265 D.C. Code § 7-2510.07a.
266 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(b)-(c)
267 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(7)(d).
268 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-67, 134-7(f).
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Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
269 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-67(d).
270 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g-5)-(i-6); 65/9.5, 66/70.
271 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(g-5).
272 Ind. Code Ann. §§ 35-47-14-2, 35-47-14-3, 35-47-14-6.
273 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-2.
274 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-605.
275 Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 5-607.
276 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S.
277 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 691.1809-691.1810.
278 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1810.
279 Minn. Stat. §§ 624.7172(Subd. 2), 624.7175.
280 Minn. Stat. § 624.7175.
281 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.600.
282 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.600(3).
283 N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26.
284 N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-26(b).
285 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-10.
286 N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6343(3)(b)-(4); 530.14
287 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(3)(d).
288 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.537
289 R. I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-5(f)(6).
290 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-4(b)
291 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § § 4058-4059.
292 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14.
293 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(B).
294 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.340.
295 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.340(b)(3)-(4).
296 Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety §§ 5-605(e)(1), 5-606(a)(1).
297 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(2)(f); 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(b); Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.110(2)(a).
298 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-107(2)(a); D.C. Code § 7-2510.06; Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(d); Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.410(1).
299 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-7(b).
300 N.J.S.A. § 2C:58-26(d).
301 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6346.
302 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-105(13).
303 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-106.
304 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-107(2)(a).
305 D.C. Code § 7-2510.06.
306 D.C. Code § 7-2510.05(3).
307 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(2)(f).
308 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(6)(b).
309 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/35(b); 67/40(b).
310 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(i-5).
311 Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety 5-605(e)(1).
312 Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety 5-606(a)(1).
313 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(d).
314 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(i).
315 N.J.S.A. § 2C:58-26(d).
316 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6346.
317 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-7(b).
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318 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-8(b).
319 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.110(2)(a).
320 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.410(1).
321 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-107(1)(a); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10,§ 7705(a); District of Columbia: D.C. Code §
7-2510.08(a); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(6)(a); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/45(a); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6343(6);
Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.533(1); Rhode Island: R. I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-7(a); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4055(a)(1);
Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(C); Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.505.
322 Minn. Stat. § 624.7173(b).
323 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18185(a); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(f); Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-8;
Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(d); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1807(5); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-
25; New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-8(D).
324 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18190; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-107(2)(b); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7173(a);
Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33.640(3); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.535(1); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14; Washington:
Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.410(2).
325 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4055(b)(1).
326 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1817.
327 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-107(3); D.C. Code § 7-2510.09(a)(1); Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-608(b);
328 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18120(c)(1); Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-109 Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(e);
Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7706; District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.09; Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(8)(a);
Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 134-68(a); Illinois: 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(i) (no explicit mention of the return process but
does list what happens when items cannot be returned to respondent upon the expiration of the period of safekeeping); Maryland:
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-608(b); Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(i); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §
691.1815(7); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7176; New Jersey: N.J.S.A. § 2C:58-26(d); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-13(A)-
(C); Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.540(1); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-8(a); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.15(A);
Washington: Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.345(1).
329 Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-7; Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.500(2); New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6346(2); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann.
tit. 13, § 4059(f)(1).
330 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-13(B)
331 California: Cal. Penal Code § 18190(c)(1); Cal. Penal Code § 34000; Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-109(2); Connecticut:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(i); District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 7-2510.09(c); Florida: Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(8)(d); Hawai’i: Haw. Rev.
Stat. Ann. § 134-68(d); Indiana: Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-9; Maryland: Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 5-608(c), -(e); Massachusetts:
Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(f); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1815(10); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-28; New
York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6344; Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4059(f)(2); Virginia: Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.15(B); Washington: Wash.
Rev. Code § 7.105.345(3)
332 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(i); Minn. Stat. § 624.7175(a); Or. Rev. Stat Ann. § 166.540(3); R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-8(d); Wash. Rev.
Code § 7.105.345(3).
333 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-109(2); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(i); Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(8)(d); N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-28.
334 NY CLS CPLR § 6344; Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4059(f)(2).
335 Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 5-608(c), -(e).
336 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(f).
337 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-113(3); Delaware: Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7707(c); Michigan: Mich. Comp. Laws Serv.
§ 691.1815(9); Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 624.7178(Subd.2); New Jersey: N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-22(b); Vermont: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, §
4059(g).
338 Ind. Code Ann. § 37-47-14-12.
339 Cal. Penal Code § 34000(a).
340 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-109(2).
341 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(i).
342 D.C. Code § 7-2510.09(c).
343 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(8)(d).
344 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-68(d).
345 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/40(i).
346 Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-9.
347 Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety § 5-608(c), -(e).
348 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131S(f).
349 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1815(10).
350 Minn. Stat. § 624.7175(a).
351 N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-28.
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54
Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked Questions
352 N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 6344.
353 Or. Rev. Stat Ann. § 166.540(3).
354 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-8(d).
355 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 4059(f)(2).
356 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.15(B).
357 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.345(3)
358 Colorado: Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-110(1)-(5); Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(b)(2)-(3), (g); District of Columbia:
D.C. Code § 7-2510.10; Hawai’i: Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-69; Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131U; Minnesota: Minn.
Stat. § 624.7171(Subd. 3)(m); New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-12; New York: N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6342, 6343(4) (although NICS is not
explicitly mentioned in the statute, the statute does state that ERPO should be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, who
maintains the NICS system) Oregon: Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(8)(d); Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-9(b)(1); Washington:
Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.350(2)-(3).
359 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(b)(2)-(3), (g).
360 Cal Penal Code § 18115.
361 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-14.5-110(1)-(5).
362 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38c(b)(2)-(3), (g).
363 D.C. Code § 7-2510.10.
364 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.401(10)
365 Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-69.
366 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 67/55.
367 Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140 § 131U.
368 Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 691.1815(1), -(8).
369 Minn. Stat. § 624.7171(Subd. 3)(m).
370 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 33.650
371 N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-30(a).
372 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 40-17-12
373 N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 6342, 6343(4).
374 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.527(8)(d).
375 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-9(b)(1).
376 Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-152.14(E).
377 Wash. Rev. Code § 7.105.350(2)-(3).
National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit, Extreme Risk Protection Orders - Frequently Asked
Questions, BATTERED WOMEN’S JUSTICE PROJECT, (July 2023).
This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02253-MUMU awarded by the Oice on Violence Against
Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this
publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department
of Justice, Oice on Violence Against Women.
This document is for informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this document is intended as legal advice
to any person or entity. Statutes are constantly changing. This toolkit was created with the assistance of 2023 Legal
Interns Adrienne Tosaris and Brionna Crawford, MPP. Please independently verify the information found in this
document. If you have questions or changes, please email
ncc@bwjp.org.
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