Mass Shootings with Leaked Intent of Harm: The Importance of Extreme Risk Protection Orders

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Currently, 21 states have Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in place allowing a petitioner to report an individual who may be a harm to themselves or others. If a judge finds a risk for danger, their access to firearms is temporarily restricted including seizure of guns in their possession. Research is needed to identify potential areas of improvement for current ERPO laws as they are fairly new to communities. In the first part of this study, a review of current ERPO laws was conducted regarding who can make a report, with police officers being the most common (20 states). In the second part, a sample of 197 mass shootings from The Violence Project Mass Shooter public database was analyzed. Almost half leaked an intent to do harm (47.2%), with a Coworker/Supervisor (18.3%) being the most common recipient of this leakage and police the least (1.8%). These results show discrepancies between recipients of leaked intent and allowed petitioners. The finding of police being the least likely recipient indicates a need for improvement in public education as police are the most commonly known petitioners. Furthermore, the high level of leaked intent suggests all states should consider ERPOs to protect their communities.

Authors

• Emma Fisher, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Christina Folan, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Emily Gerber, Fairleigh Dickinson University