Mapping how temporary firearm removal orders are used among service members and veterans
As Suicide Prevention Month brings renewed attention to ways to reduce suicide risk, new research from CU Anschutz examines how extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), civil court orders that can temporarily restrict firearm access, are being used among service members and veterans in Colorado.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open examines the use of temporary firearm removal orders (ERPOs) among service members and veterans in Colorado. The research, which analyzed all 692 ERPO petitions filed in the state from 2020 to 2024, found that 9.8% of these petitions involved service members or veterans, despite only making up 7.8% of the state's adult population.
Of the 68 service member and veteran cases, temporary ERPOs were granted in 47 (69.1%) of them, with 36 (76.6%) of these orders extended to full 365-day durations. ERPOs are being utilized as a tool for a population facing overlapping risks, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance misuse, and suicide threats involving firearm access.
The study highlights the importance of understanding how ERPOs are being used and the circumstances surrounding their implementation, as they can provide crucial time and distance from firearms in crisis situations.
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