A Firearm restraining order (FRO) is a civil – not criminal – procedure that allows family and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms while they pose an imminent danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement, safety advocates and researchers consider FROs to be a resource that can help prevent gun injuries and deaths, including firearm suicide. These can also be called “red flag laws.” States with FROs have their own procedures for how to use them.
