This idea hinges on this fact: Impulsivity and guns don’t mix.
There are methods to mitigate this impulsivity and give people time to cope before doing something deadly against themselves or others. This time is important because bullets move faster than people can heal.
By hitting PAUSE in a deadly situation, an FRO (Firearm Restraining Order) can save lives.
WHAT’S AN FRO? FROs (nationally known as ERPO’s or red flag laws), create a civil legal process that can temporarily prevent an individual that is displaying a risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing and possessing firearms. In some states, FROs can be initiated by family members, school administrators and health professionals, in addition to law enforcement. Enacted in Illinois in 2019, these laws save lives, but they are still rarely applied. Familiarity is simply too low. To reduce preventable gun violence in Illinois, we need to help educate Illinois citizens about the existence of FROs, and when/how to use them.