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Oregon has had a red flag law since 2018. Family, household members or law enforcement can request an extreme risk protection order to help keep someone with a gun from hurting themselves or others.

Basically, a petition is filed in court. A judge makes a decision. If a judge issues an order, the respondent has 24 hours to surrender firearms and/or their concealed handgun license. The person also can’t buy firearms for the period covered by the order. The respondent can appeal. The order can be removed or extended.

So does it work?

Yes, as much as we know, says a new analysis from the Oregon secretary of state’s office. Of course, we can’t know what would have happened if a protective order was not issued in a case when it was.

Members of law enforcement requested the most petitions. Most of the petitions issued in the first two years were because of people who had a history of suicidality or had reported risk of interpersonal violence.

Other states have arguably done more than Oregon to educate the public and law enforcement about this tool. Oregon should do more.