The Use of Extreme Risk Protection Orders Intended to Prevent Mass Violence in Oregon: A Descriptive Study
Presenter Biography
Rosol is a Senior Research Assistant working with Dr. Kathleen Carlson on firearm related injury research at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. She is a student in the MPH Epidemiology program at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. This study is part of her practice experience for the MPH program.
Institution
OHSU
Program/Major
Epidemiology
Degree
MPH
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-4-2024 1:00 PM
Keywords
Firearm Research, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, ERPO, Mass Violence
Abstract
Purpose: Firearm violence is a critical public health issue in the United States. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws are an intervention method that have been enacted in many states to prevent firearm violence including mass violence threats. This study examined the characteristics of ERPO petitions filed in Oregon for a 6-year period that involved mass violence threats.
Method: ERPO petitions included in court records obtained through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023 were abstracted; a 20% random sample of records was double-coded to ensure interrater reliability. An epidemiologic analysis of cases involving threats of mass violence was conducted by comparing the characteristics and outcomes of those cases to cases involving other types of firearm violence threats.
Results: Data analyzed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022 showed there were 649 ERPO petitions filed and 506 (78%) were initially granted. There were 72 petitions that cited risk of mass violence and 67 (93%) were initially granted. There were 24 petitions that cited a risk to schools or college campuses, and all 24 (100%) were initially granted. Ongoing analyses will examine the characteristics of petitions citing threats of mass violence compared to petitions that cited other types of threats.
Conclusion: Oregon’s ERPO law is being used to address firearm injury risk, including mass violence risk and risk to schools and college campuses. This effort will inform efforts to improve implementation of the ERPO law in Oregon for threats of mass violence.
The Use of Extreme Risk Protection Orders Intended to Prevent Mass Violence in Oregon: A Descriptive Study
Purpose: Firearm violence is a critical public health issue in the United States. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws are an intervention method that have been enacted in many states to prevent firearm violence including mass violence threats. This study examined the characteristics of ERPO petitions filed in Oregon for a 6-year period that involved mass violence threats.
Method: ERPO petitions included in court records obtained through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023 were abstracted; a 20% random sample of records was double-coded to ensure interrater reliability. An epidemiologic analysis of cases involving threats of mass violence was conducted by comparing the characteristics and outcomes of those cases to cases involving other types of firearm violence threats.
Results: Data analyzed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022 showed there were 649 ERPO petitions filed and 506 (78%) were initially granted. There were 72 petitions that cited risk of mass violence and 67 (93%) were initially granted. There were 24 petitions that cited a risk to schools or college campuses, and all 24 (100%) were initially granted. Ongoing analyses will examine the characteristics of petitions citing threats of mass violence compared to petitions that cited other types of threats.
Conclusion: Oregon’s ERPO law is being used to address firearm injury risk, including mass violence risk and risk to schools and college campuses. This effort will inform efforts to improve implementation of the ERPO law in Oregon for threats of mass violence.