Press Releases

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) introduced 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. In addition, the bill would 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.

“Too often, shootings are preceded by unmistakable warning signs, but communities have lacked the tools to step in before it’s too late,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This legislation recognizes the value of extreme risk protection orders, and gives law enforcement a clear path to intervene before tragedy strikes.”

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) leads companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations including Brady, GIFFORDS, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Earlier this month, Carbajal introduced a pair of bipartisan bills, the Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act and Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act, to improve public safety nationwide. The package aims to address the staffing shortages at local law enforcement departments and removes the limitations on the provision of Medicaid funding for patients in an institution for mental disease (IMD) in order to improve behavioral health.