The Extreme Risk Civil Protection Order Amendment Act of 2017 had a public hearing on March 22 before the Judiciary Committee, two days before the national March for Our Lives. Students, parents and advocates testified about the urgent need to end gun violence. Video of the hearing will be posted online, usually within 24 hours.

Modeled after successful California legislation, the bill is a vehicle for people to petition the court for a temporary extreme civil protection order where there is an immediate and present danger that the subject will cause injury to themselves or others. It allows police to immediately remove guns and prevents the subject of the order from legally purchasing other firearms for 14 days. After 14 days, the court will decide based on testimony and evidence if there is significant threat of harm to self or others to justify removing the firearms for a one-year period.

Learn more:

• Press release: Gun Violence Protection Order Bill Aims to Reduce Gun Violence in District
• Background document: Additional information about the Extreme Risk Civil Protection Order bill
• Bill text: Extreme Risk Civil Protection Order Amendment Act of 2017
• Bill history: Extreme Risk Civil Protection Order Amendment Act of 2017