Oregon's Hidden Weapon Against Gun Violence: Why Aren't We Using It More?

Oregon has a powerful tool to fight gun violence, but not everyone is using it. In 2017, the state passed a law that lets police or family members ask a court to temporarily stop someone from accessing guns if they're a danger to themselves or others. This is called an extreme risk protection order, or ERPO. It's a way to step in before something terrible happens. The law is working. Studies show that these orders can save lives. In Connecticut, using them more often led to a 14% drop in gun suicides. But in Oregon, some counties are using this tool much more than others. Deschutes County had 19. 4 petitions per 100, 000 people in 2024, while Multnomah County only had 2. 4. That's a big difference. This isn't just an Oregon problem. Other states have the same issue. Florida and Connecticut use these orders a lot, but some states barely use them at all. The key is how the law is put into action. Training for police officers makes a big difference. In Florida, one county tripled its use of these orders after training its deputies. Deschutes County shows what can happen when a county puts effort into using this law. Officers get regular training, and they work with mental health experts. This makes them more confident in using the law. The Portland Police Bureau is also trying to improve. They've started training patrol officers to recognize when an ERPO might help. They're also reaching out to the community to spread the word. ERPOs can save lives. Every time we don't use this tool, we're taking a risk we don't need to. With better training, community education, and follow-through, Portland can make sure this life-saving tool is used to its fullest potential. It's time to make sure this hidden weapon against gun violence isn't left on the shelf.