From Policy to Practice: How Site Visits Support Effective Implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) are law in 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ERPOs are an evidence-informed policy that allows for temporary removal of firearms when a judicial officer finds that individuals are at risk of harm to themselves and/or others. Illinois passed its ERPO law, called a firearm restraining order (FRO), in 2018. Additional implementation support is necessary for the law to be utilized. This paper discusses the process for planning an implementation site visit and the lessons learned from the site visit. Site visits serve as a valuable implementation tool to build connections, highlight opportunities for improvement in implementation, and coordinate effective policies to save lives. The site visit in Lake County, Illinois serves as an example of a successful site visit to further FRO implementation. ERPO site visits are dynamic meetings where best practices are shared, conversations with key implementers are facilitated, and challenges to ERPO implementation can be highlighted and overcome. Following the site visit to Lake County, Illinois, several lessons were learned: the importance of their Firearm Risk Reduction Coordinator, the challenge and need for standardized data collection, ongoing education and training needs, and the importance of partnership and connectivity. Following the site visit, Lake County, Illinois saw an increase in ERPO cases. Site visits are a useful tool to implement ERPO laws around the country. By bringing people together, ERPO implementers can coordinate services, highlight opportunities to improve implementation, and ensure coordination on firearm relinquishment.