Giffords Lauds New Mexico’s House for the Passage of the Extreme Risk Protection Order Law

Washington, DC— Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, applauded the New Mexico House of Representatives for passing legislation that establishes the process to obtain an extreme risk protection order. Extreme risk laws help to temporarily prohibit an individual reported as a danger to themselves or others from possessing a firearm.

“After many shootings, family and friends come forward to say that they saw warning signs prior to the tragedy, but there was no way to temporarily remove firearms from a dangerous situation,” said Nico Bocour, state legislative director at Giffords. “It doesn’t have to be that way. The passage of the extreme risk law gives New Mexico law enforcement a lifesaving tool to make the state safer. The House showed that gun safety is a top priority by moving swiftly to pass this critical bill. We thank Representative Damon Ely for pushing this legislation over the finish line, and look forward to Governor Lujan Grisham signing SB 5 into law so New Mexico can continue becoming a leader in the fight to end gun violence.”

Extreme risk protection orders create a civil court order, issued by a judge after the consideration of evidence provided by law enforcement, temporarily preventing a person in crisis from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition. ERPOs allow family members or friends who see warning signs that an individual is at risk of hurting themselves or others to temporarily prohibit that individual from having a firearm.