State officials and community advocates in California are working to raise awareness about Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), a legal tool that allows firearms to be temporarily removed from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. Although the law has been on the books since 2016, many Californians still don’t know these orders exist.
By Kathleen Untalan
State officials and community advocates in California are working to raise awareness about Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), a legal tool that allows firearms to be temporarily removed from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. Although the law has been on the books since 2016, many Californians still don’t know these orders exist.
During a recent press event organized by the California Office of Emergency Services, public health experts, law enforcement, and community leaders shared stories and strategies to promote the use of GVROs in preventing suicide, domestic violence, and mass shootings.
One of the key concerns raised was the lack of awareness in communities most affected by gun violence. These are often Black, Latino, and immigrant communities that don’t always receive timely or accessible information. “Too often, the communities most impacted by gun violence are the ones who don’t know GVROs exist,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media. She emphasized the importance of reaching people through trusted messengers and local media voices.
The goal, according to speakers, is to intervene before tragedy occurs. GVROs are civil orders, not criminal penalties, and are designed to be temporary. “This isn’t about punishing people,” said Ari Freilich, Special Assistant Attorney General for Firearms Policy. “It’s about stopping violence before it happens and giving people in crisis a chance to recover.”
Data presented during the briefing pointed to the effectiveness of GVROs, particularly in suicide prevention. Removing access to a firearm drastically reduces the chance of a fatal outcome. Psychiatrist Dr. Amy Barnhorst shared an example of a woman who had just been released from a psychiatric hold and returned home to a loaded gun. Although she was no longer hospitalized, she remained at high risk. “Removing a firearm doesn’t fix everything,” Barnhorst said, “but it drastically increases someone’s chances of surviving a suicide attempt.”
Law enforcement officers also stressed the preventive power of the orders. In one case, deputies responded to a tip about a teenager posting violent threats online. Though the teen couldn’t legally own a firearm, officers discovered a sawed-off shotgun in the home. A GVRO was filed to remove all guns from the household. Sergeant Kyle Ikeuchi from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said the order allowed deputies to act before harm was done. “GVROs allow us to prevent violence, not just respond to it.”
For some, the issue is deeply personal. Gabriela Gonzalez, now 23, spoke about being harassed with gun threats when she was just 17. The man who targeted her was later arrested for threatening to shoot up her school. At the time, she didn’t know GVROs were an option. “He sent me pictures of guns, threatened to shoot me, drove around my neighborhood,” she recalled. “I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t think I’d be taken seriously.” Now an advocate, Gonzalez plans to visit schools in September, during Suicide Prevention Month, to help other young people learn about GVROs.
California’s “Reduce the Risk” campaign aims to expand access to information with translated materials, school outreach, and community partnerships. The goal is to make the GVRO process accessible to anyone who needs it. Orders can be requested by law enforcement, family members, employers, school staff, or coworkers. Hearings can be attended virtually, and reports can often be made anonymously. Immigration status is not a barrier.
As Wilson put it, the purpose of a GVRO is simple: “It’s about buying time—enough time for someone to live through their worst day.”
More information is available at reducetherisk.org and oag.ca.gov/gvro.