Firearm laws vary state by state.

Understanding the laws in your state, as well as the federal laws around firearm purchase, sale, transfers, possession, and more can be helpful for both patients and providers.

Information on state and federal firearms laws are available from:

the Giffords Law Center

the RAND Corporation's State Firearm Law Database

the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Nineteen states have enacted extreme risk protection legislation.

These are sometimes called Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) or Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) policies. Additional states are considering such legislation.

This legislation provides a legal mechanism by law enforcement officers can temporarily remove firearms and ammunition, as well as the ability to legally purchase firearms and ammunition, from persons a judge deems at imminent risk of harm to self or others. ERPOs are civil actions and do not, in themselves, prohibit someone from purchasing or possessing firearms in the future.

To learn more about ERPOs and analogous legislation, and whether it is available in your state, refer to the Giffords Law Center online.