The Impact of Extreme Risk Protection Orders on Homicide and Suicide: Are There Any Red Flags?
Abstract
Nineteen states have instituted Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws through 2023, also known as red flag laws. These laws allow law enforcement, family members, and others to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from an individual who is believed to be a danger to themselves or others. ERPOs have been passed with the goal of reducing firearm homicide and firearm suicide. This paper tests whether these laws save lives using a generalized synthetic control model. This preliminary study suggests ERPOs as currently written do not significantly reduce total homicide or total suicide nor firearm homicide or firearm suicide. Ways to improve the effectiveness of ERPOs are discussed in light of these research findings.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Homicide
Infanticide
and Child Abuse
Criminal Law and Evidence
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Wyoming Law Review
- Publisher
- University of Wyoming College of Law
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 291–339
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN