District of Columbia (DC)

In the District of Columbia (DC), an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits individuals who pose a significant danger of causing bodily injury to self or others from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition. Law enforcement; persons related to the respondent by blood, adoption, guardianship, marriage, domestic partnership, having a child in common, cohabitating, or maintaining a romantic, dating, or sexual relationship; and mental health professionals¹ may petition for an ERPO. Petitioners may seek an ex parte ERPO which will remain in place for a maximum of 14 days until the hearing for a final ERPO. Petitioners may also seek a final ERPO without first petitioning for an ex parte ERPO. A final ERPO is issued after the respondent receives notice and an opportunity to go before a judge to contest the petition. A final ERPO lasts one year and may be terminated prior to its expiration or renewed through court processes defined in the law.

To legally possess firearms in DC, residents must hold a valid registration certificate. To carry a concealed pistol in DC, residents must possess a Concealed Carry License (CCL). When an ex parte or final ERPO is issued, the respondent to that order must surrender all firearms, registration certificates, and CCL to law enforcement for the duration of the order. Respondents must also surrender ammunition and any dealer’s license in their possession.

DC’s ERPO law, like other Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, includes due process protections to ensure fairness. Due process protections in DC’s ERPO law include ex parte ERPOs issued by a judicial officer; a post-deprivation hearing where the respondent is provided notice and an opportunity to participate; and the requirement of substantial and credible evidence (e.g. the enumerated factors the judicial officer must consider) to issue an ERPO.

Explore the following resources to learn more about the District of Columbia’s ERPO law:

• Extreme Risk Protection Order Process in the District of Columbia - ERPO and Final ERPO
• Extreme Risk Protection Order & Civil Protection Order: How do they differ?
• Extreme Risk Protection Order, Emergency Hospitalization & Involuntary Civil Commitment: How do they differ?
• District of Columbia Court Resources
• District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General One-Pager

Background: In December 2018, DC passed its ERPO law as a part of the Firearms Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018. The law went into effect on January 30, 2019.