Blumenthal Leads 17 Senators in Introducing to Prevent Dangerous Individuals from Accessing Firearms
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a group of 17 Senators in introducing the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, legislation to prevent people who are in crisis from accessing deadly weapons. The bill would establish grants to support the implementation of extreme risk protection (ERPO) laws, also known as “red flag” laws, at the state and local levels, and extend federal firearms restrictions to people subject to ERPOs, giving law enforcement the tools to remove access to firearms from people who are considered a danger to themselves or others.
“This measure is simply common sense. Expanding extreme risk protection orders— known as red flag statutes— will help save lives by keeping guns away from people threatening harm to themselves or others. Court orders separating people from guns, based on factual evidence about danger and due process, make communities safer and prevent tragedy. At moments when suicide or domestic violence may be imminent, these orders are a godsend,” said Blumenthal.
This legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tina Smith (D-MN).
The legislation is supported by a number of organizations including Brady, GIFFORDS, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
“Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) save lives by providing law enforcement and those closest to an at-risk individual a legal pathway to temporarily remove firearms from a dangerous equation. Providing people in crisis with a ‘pause to heal’ is incredibly important, as 9 in 10 individuals who survive an attempted suicide do not go on to die by suicide. That’s why it is paramount that states have the resources to expand the public’s access to and awareness of ERPOs. Brady is proud to support the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 and thanks Senator Blumenthal and Representative Carbajal for their commitment to expanding these life-saving laws and freeing America from gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady.
"Extreme risk protection orders are a proven way to stop gun violence before it happens. But for them to work, communities need to know how to petition for them, and law enforcement and judges need to know how to enforce them. This bill provides the resources to ensure that education happens. GIFFORDS applauds Senator Blumenthal for championing this lifesaving legislation,” said Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government & Political Affairs at GIFFORDS.
“Extreme Risk Protection Orders help protect gun owners, their loved ones and community from potential tragedy by temporarily transferring a firearm when someone with access to a gun is in crisis,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “In order for this measure to work, we must expand supports for proper implementation, including increasing awareness of this life-saving tool and training law enforcement personnel on how to effectively separate someone from their firearms until any crisis has passed.”
“So many shootings are preceded by glaring red flags — but in too many states, there’s little that loved ones and law enforcement can do to stop these slow-motion tragedies,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Blumenthal for introducing this lifesaving legislation, which will help countless families act on warning signs and temporarily disarm people in crisis.”
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
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