New Jersey

In New Jersey, an Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits individuals from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition if the individual poses a significant danger of bodily injury to self or others by having custody or control of, owning, possessing, purchasing, or receiving a firearm. Family or household members (including a current or former spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union couple, household member, dating partner, and a person with a child in common), and law enforcement officers may petition for an ERPO. Petitioners seek a temporary ERPO which may be issued on an ex parte basis. If a temporary ERPO is issued, then the order is in effect for up to 10 days until the hearing for a final ERPO can occur. If a temporary ERPO is not issued, then the subject of the petition will be served with a notice for a final ERPO hearing. A final ERPO will remain in effect for one year unless terminated through court processes.

When an temporary or final ERPO is issued, the respondent must surrender firearms, ammunition, and any firearms purchaser identification card, permit to purchase a handgun, or permit to carry a handgun.

New Jersey’s ERPO law, like other Extreme Risk Protection Order laws, includes due process protections to ensure fairness. Due process protections in New Jersey’s ERPO law include ex parte ERPOs issued by judicial officers; 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 New Jersey’s ERPO law:

• Extreme Risk Protective Order Process in New Jersey
• Extreme Risk Protective Order & Domestic Violence Restraining Order: How do they differ?
• New Jersey Court Resources

Background: In June 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 1217 creating New Jersey’s Extreme Risk Protective Order, which became effective on September 1, 2019. In August 2019, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General issued a law enforcement directive providing guidelines to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices on ERPO implementation.