Bill Overview
Title: To direct the Attorney General to conduct a study on the efficacy of extreme risk protection orders on reducing gun violence, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Department of Justice to study the efficacy of extreme risk protection orders on reducing gun violence.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: People living in areas with access to firearms worldwide
Estimated Size: 145000000
- Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) potentially affect individuals who are at risk of causing harm to themselves or others with firearms.
- The efficacy study would indirectly impact the population through potential changes in policy, depending on findings about ERPO effectiveness.
- If ERPOs are found effective, individuals in areas with high gun violence rates could potentially benefit from reduced violence.
- Law enforcement agencies would be impacted as ERPOs involve police tasks such as removing firearms.
- This affects individuals in the mental health system, as ERPOs often involve mental health evaluations.
Reasoning
- Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) may directly impact individuals deemed at risk of causing harm with firearms. The policy's study aspect will not change ERPO implementation immediately but could influence future legislative decisions impacting this demographic directly.
- A significant proportion of the US population lives in households with guns, meaning ERPO-related policies may indirectly affect millions if study results advise policy expansion or alteration.
- Law enforcement officers could see changes in responsibilities if ERPOs are adjusted based on study outcomes.
- Mental health professionals might experience increased involvement in policy enforcement scenarios.
- There is also a portion of the population unaffected because they neither reside in high gun violence areas nor are directly involved with firearms ownership or mental health systems related to ERPO enforcement.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen the impact of gun violence on students and families.
- If this study helps create effective ERPO laws, it could make our community safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Police Officer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The study could increase or decrease ERPO-related duties.
- I'm concerned about resources and training if the ERPO scope changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The study is crucial for informed legislation.
- Effective ERPOs could be a key tool in reducing violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Rancher (Jasper, WY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any change in gun laws should have strong evidence.
- The study must be thorough and unbiased.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Mental Health Counselor (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The study’s outcomes could overlap with my work if ERPOs affect mental health assessments.
- I'm hopeful for positive policy change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Gun Store Owner (Nashville, TN)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Studies are fine, but they must consider economic impacts.
- Gun policy always risks going too far.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Community Activist (Newark, NJ)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The efficacy of this study could justify wider ERPO use.
- I'm cautiously optimistic that positive changes will follow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm neutral; ERPOs don't impact me much directly.
- Results could be key for public policy but not a personal issue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think learning more about effective ERPOs is good long-term.
- Gun violence affects the country, even if not me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Nurse (Rochester, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes should protect rights and safety.
- I value this study only if it leads to balanced legislation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The study will need collaboration with states already implementing ERPOs, which can diversify costs due to varying legislative environments.
- ERPO efficacy is contentious and could lead to subsequent policy changes that impact future budgets.
- Legal and procedural outcomes from the study could either enhance or strain public safety resources, impacting state budgets differently.