The red flag law was expanded...but is it effective?
The law took effect in 2020.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - The red flag law, or the extreme risk protection order law, allows people to file an order if an individual shows signs of self-harm or harm to others. Once the order is placed, a judge decides if the person will be temporarily banned from having or purchasing guns.
Last April, the law was expanded to include teachers, district attorneys, mental health professionals and other health providers. The original law only extended to family members and law enforcement.
However, out of the 200 orders filed, ten of them were from people other than close relatives or law enforcement. The state is working to increase those numbers.
“We’re still trying to get the word out to these professional petitioners and community members...and the state of Colorado has done a lot to increase training to healthcare professionals and educators especially. We do anticipate this will cause ERPO filing to increase, and then eventually, cause gun violence to decrease in the state,” said Laney Sheffel, Program Director of Ceasefire Colorado.
On the Western slope, a total of three protection orders were filed in Montrose, Gunnison and Delta from April 2023 to June of 2024. According to media reports, 90% of individuals who were “red flagged” in the first two years of the law taking effect, were men.
