Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)

In Washington State, three in every four firearm deaths are suicides. Access to firearms triples the risk of suicide. Empathetic conversation about firearm safety and mental health is associated with more people using safe gun storage, reducing the risk of preventable injury and death. 

Three critical interventions are available to support an individual in crisis:

In Washington State, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) allow families and law enforcement to petition a judge to restrict individual possession and purchase of firearms using a civil order.

An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), which voters approved in 2016 through Initiative 1491, is one way to protect someone you care about from harming themselves or others with firearms. Before and during times of crisis, an ERPO can help you intervene to keep the people you care about safe.

An ERPO is a civil order that allows a family or household member or a member of law enforcement to petition a judge to restrict individual possession and purchase of firearms when you worry that an individual’s behavior indicates they might be at substantial risk of harming themselves or others.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

How to use an ERPO:

  1. You can file a temporary ERPO (also called an ex parte order) petition at the county clerk’s office at the county’s superior court, which lasts 14 days or until first hearing.
  2. You can also ask your health care provider for help, and they can tell law enforcement about the situation to get assistance. You can also contact law enforcement directly.
  3. A judge will determine if a temporary ERPO is needed. This most often occurs on the same day you file the petition.
  4. If approved, the order will be granted. Law enforcement will enforce the order to the respondent and remove firearms from the home.
  5. The final ERPO hearing is held to decide if a full ERPO is needed. The respondent may challenge petition at this time.
  6. If granted, the ERPO will be in effect for one year. The respondent will not be able to be in possession of nor purchase any new firearms.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

An ERPO can keep at-risk loved ones safe from a suicide attempt or an attempt to harm others with a firearm. They are an effective tool to prevent suicide.

One study found that for every 10 to 20 ERPOs granted, 1 suicide was prevented.

ERPOs may also be useful for preventing mass shootings, homicides, and intimate partner shootings.

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: CALL 9-1-1

  • Petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) when an individual’s behavior indicates substantial risk of suicide or harm to self or others 
  • Contact the King County Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit for help with petitioning for an ERPO
  • King County Residents: Where to Turn for Extreme Risk Protection Order Information/Support
  • King County Crisis Connections focuses on serving the emotional and physical needs of individuals. They can be reached by calling 2-1-1 or visiting crisisconnections.org
  • In emergencies, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or call/text 9-8-8. For more information, visit: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Learn more about Washington State’s Three Interventions >>

Consortium for Risk-based Firearm Policy

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

National Center for School Safety (NCSS) Podcast Series

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)
Episode 3: Understanding Firearm-Related Injury and School Violence Podcast Series [15:11]

In this episode, we discuss ERPOs and their impact on school safety. Dr. April Zeoli guides us through a detailed discussion of ERPOs, their role in preventing firearm-related injuries in schools, and how they intersect with school safety >>

Download Series Highlights – PDF

Source: National Center for School Safety (NCSS)

 

 

 

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