Recognize

 

Reporter Files

 

Investigation 

 

Court Decision

 

Order to Remove

 

The Emergency Risk Firearm Protection Order Act (“ERPO”) passed in New Mexico in 2020 and provides state and local law enforcement with a tool to petition the Court to remove firearms from someone who is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others. While an ERPO is in place the person cannot purchase or possess firearms. This process is a civil rather than criminal action. Ultimately the law seeks to serve as a preventative measure to reduce death and injury due to firearms in New Mexico.

Why is it important?

  • Public Health:
    • ​​109 Americans are killed every day by guns 61% of suicides are committed using a firearm.
    • 1/3 of those in other states under an ERPO order received mental health treatment
    • 1 live is saved for every 10-20 ERPO’s file

When should a health official consider filing an ERPO?

  • Threats or acts of violence are made
  • A mental health or substance use history that includes violence
  • Charged and/or uncharged acts of violence A previous ERPO has been issued
  • Domestic violence situations where a party is at risk Severe depression with suicidal ideation

The law provides specific roles for reporting parties and petitioners:

REPORTERS
Reporters can be someone with a close personal relationship with the respondent, including family members or health care professionals, who view incidents, people or situations involving firearms that they believe to be dangerous.

PETITIONERS
Petitioners are either state or local law enforcement, or the Office of the District Attorney, or the Attorney General. Petitioners conduct an investigation to determine if probable cause exists and may proceed in petitioning the Court to safely remove firearms from someone who may be dangerous to themselves or others.

COURTS
Civil or District Court Judges issues the “red flag order” when they find evidence that a person poses a significant danger to themselves or others with access or possession to firearms.

Forms

Affidavit In Support of a Petition for an Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order

DOWNLOAD RACK CARD

ERPO Presentation - Dr. Wendy Johnson

Resources