New Guide Supports Effective Implementation of Minnesota’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Law
The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, in partnership with the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University, has released a comprehensive guide to support the effective implementation of Minnesota’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law.
ERPO laws, also known as “red flag” laws, create a legal process to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Minnesota’s ERPO law went into effect on January 1, 2024, following its passage during the 2023 legislative session with broad support from law enforcement, mental health professionals, and advocates for domestic violence.
Read the Guide Overview and FAQs
“ERPOs are a critical tool that can prevent firearm suicides and other forms of gun violence before they occur,” said Spencer Cantrell, JD, assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. “This guide is designed to help law enforcement, attorneys, judges, health care professionals, and community advocates understand and use Minnesota’s ERPO law effectively to save lives.”
In 2024, there were 135 ERPO petitions filed across Minnesota, with 71% initiated by law enforcement and 16% by family members. Courts granted 95% of emergency ERPOs and 78% of long-term orders, demonstrating their value in preventing harm and creating time and space for intervention during moments of crisis.
The new Minnesota ERPO Implementation Guide offers:
- Step-by-step instructions for filing and processing ERPO petitions, including emergency and long-term orders.
- Detailed explanations of the law’s requirements, due process protections, and firearm transfer procedures.
- Practical guidance for law enforcement, attorneys, and courts to navigate their roles within the ERPO process.
- Case studies illustrating the use of ERPOs in preventing suicide and interpersonal violence.
- Additional resources for professionals and communities seeking to improve ERPO implementation and understanding.
“Every community in Minnesota deserves to have the tools and knowledge to prevent gun violence,” said Michelle Bedoya, JD, LLM, PhD student at the Johns ѻý and lead author of the guide. “This guide is a practical resource for practitioners across the state working to protect families and individuals at risk.”
Minnesota’s ERPO law is one of 23 similar laws across the country that provide a targeted, evidence-based approach to prevent gun violence. Research has shown that ERPOs are most frequently used in cases involving suicidal crises, and studies estimate that for every 17 to 23 ERPOs issued, one suicide is prevented.
The development of the Minnesota ERPO Implementation Guide was supported by the Joyce Foundation.
