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

 

COURT FORMS

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) for Respondent UNDER 18 years old

Petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order
(Respondent Under 18 years old) – (PDF) (WORD)

Law Enforcement and Confidential Information,
Extreme Risk Protection Order (LECIF)
(Respondent Under 18 years old) – (PDF) (WORD)


Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) for Respondent OVER 18 years old

Petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order
(Respondent Over 18 years old) – (PDF) (WORD)

Law Enforcement and Confidential Information,
Extreme Risk Protection Order (LECIF)
(Respondent Over 18 years old) – (PDF) (WORD)

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MEDIA RELEASE

Three Firearm Interventions Toolkit – (PDF)

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BLOG

In the burden of violence, You can make a Difference – (Click to view)

Barriers and Facilitators to the ERPO Filing Process – (Click to view)

Online toolkit aims to intervene in firearm injury, death – (Click to view)

New UW study describes the use of extreme risk protection order laws in Washington – (Click to view)

Viewpoint looks at three interventions to address firearm injury and death – (Click to view)

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FILING DOCUMENTS

Petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order Respondent OVER 18-years old – (PDF)

Petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order Respondent UNDER 18-years old – (PDF)

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INFOGRAPHICS

Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) – (PNG) | (JPG)

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RESOURCE FLIERS

Firearm Safety & Suicide Prevention Strategies – (PDF)

Resources – (PDF)


Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)

Extreme Risk Protection Order
English – (PDF)

Orden de protección de riesgo extremo
Spanish / Español – (PDF)


For physicians, social workers, medical professionals, law enforcement & others:

Firearm Injury & Suicide Prevention Strategies
English – (PDF)

Estrategias de prevención de suicidios y lesiones por arma de fuego
Spanish / Español – (PDF)

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This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. No physician-patient relationship is created by this web site or its use. Neither HIPRC, the University of Washington, nor its employees, nor any contributor to this web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.