Use of extreme risk protection orders to reduce gun violence in Oregon

Abstract

Research SummaryWe examined petition and respondent characteristics from extreme risk protection order (ERPO) cases in Oregon for the 15 months after implementation (n = 93). Most petitions were filed by law enforcement (65%) a were more likely to be granted than petitions filed by family/household members (p < 0.001). Most ERPO respondents were reported by petitioners to have histories of suicidality (73%) or interpersonal violence (75%), with over half of death threats, suicide threats, or suicide attempts with known timing occurring within 1 week of the petition being filed.Policy ImplicationsERPO petitions and orders are overwhelmingly being used as intended, that is, specifically for cases of imminent risk of harm to self or others. Greater dissemination of public information about ERPOs may increase their appropriate use and the proportion of high‐risk individuals and families who may benefit. Legal aid assistance for family or household members in filling out petitions is advisable.

Gun violence restraining orders in California, 2016–2018: case details and respondent mortality

“…The most common violence-related risk factor identified in the court records was substance use, present in over one-third of cases. This proportion is similar to that found in Broward County, Florida, but lower than that reported in Washington and Oregon (46%–47%) 13 15 17. Substance use is a well-established risk factor for violent and suicidal behaviour 20–22.…”

“…This differs from the experience of other states and counties that have reported details of the use of ERPO-type laws. In Oregon, Connecticut and King County, Washington, the proportion of cases involving self-directed harm was higher than the proportion involving other-directed harm, sometimes substantially so 5 13 14. Washington State, Colorado and Broward County, Florida had more other-directed than self-directed harm cases, but the difference between the two proportions was smaller (7%–19%) than in California (nearly 40%) 15–17.…”

“…This proportion is similar to that found in Broward County, Florida, but lower than that reported in Washington and Oregon (46%–47%). 13 15 17 Substance use is a well-established risk factor for violent and suicidal behaviour. 20–22 Other common risk factors present in the case files included mental illness (a risk factor primarily for suicide), prior arrest, and relationship loss/problems, each present in about 20% of cases.…”

Understanding the circumstances and stakeholder perceptions of gun violence restraining order use in California: A qualitative study

“…Endorsement of GVRO use for preventing self-harm aligns with existing evidence on the utility of analogous "risk warrant" legislation for preventing firearm suicide and emerging evidence from other states that have recently enacted ERPOs suggesting that the majority of orders are sought with the intent to prevent self-harm (Kivisto & Phalen, 2018;Rowhani-Rahbar et al, 2020;Swanson et al, 2017Swanson et al, , 2019Zeoli et al, 2021). In the United States, approximately 60% of firearm deaths are suicides, though the proportion is lower in California (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center, 2016).…”

The Science of Gun Policy: A Critical Synthesis of Research Evidence on the Effects of Gun Policies in the United States, Third Edition

“…California had 71 ERPO respondents in 2016 (the year legislation was passed), which increased to 717 by 2019 (Pallin et al, 2020). In King County, Washington, 146 petitions were served in 2018, up from 40 in 2017 (Rowhani-Rahbar et al, 2020); 93 petitions were filed in the first 15 months of Oregon's 2018 ERPO law (Zeoli et al, 2021); and 110 petitions were granted in the first year of Colorado's 2020 ERPO law (Barnard et al, 2021). Between 2006 and2013, 58 ERPOs were served per year in Indiana; between 1999 and 2013, 51 orders were served per year in Connecticut (Kapoor et al, 2018).…”