Restraining Orders

The judge can issue an extreme risk protection order if the judge finds that there is significant danger that the respondent will cause bodily injury to himself/herself or others by having possession or control of, purchasing, or receiving any firearm or ammunition.¹ When deciding if there is significant danger, the judge will consider factors such as:

• the respondent’s history or pattern of threats or acts of violence;
• any recent threats or acts of violence;
• whether the respondent got hold of firearms, ammunition, or other deadly or dangerous weapons within one year before the petition for an extreme risk protection order was filed;
• the respondent’s illegal or careless use, display, waving (brandishing) of a firearm or other weapon;
• the respondent’s criminal history;
• the respondent’s violation of any court orders;
• evidence that the respondent is having a mental health crisis or other dangerous mental health issues; and
• the respondent’s use of drugs (a controlled substance).²

¹ D.C. Code § 7-2510.03(g)
² D.C. Code §§ 7-2510.04(e); 7-2510.03(e)