Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Connecticut, 2013-2020

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Figure 1.
Temporary ERPOs Issued in Connecticut from 1999 to 2020.^a2020 data are from January 1 to June 30 only.

Table 1

ERPO Respondents’ Demographics

Characteristics	n (%)
Gender^a
Male	1,289 (92.5%)
Female	105 (7.5%)
Age in years, mean; median (range)^b	47.6; 47.3 (16.3–98.4)
Race and ethnicity^a
Not reported in police affidavit	677 (48.6%)
Reported in police affidavit	717 (51.4%)
White	673 (93.9%)
Black and African American	34 (4.7%)
Hispanic and Latinx	5 (0.7%)
Asian	4 (0.6%)
Native American and Alaskan Native	2 (0.3%)
Multiple Races	2 (0.3%)
Other	1 (0.1%)

Table 2

Reason for Gun Removal

Type of risk	n (%)
Harm to self only	785 (55.8%)
Harm to others only	350 (24.9%)
Harm to self and others	190 (13.5%)
No Harm to self or others	82 (5.8%)
Harm to self^a	975 (69.3%)
Suicidal ideation, threats, plans, or aborted attempt	840 (59.7%)
Suicide attempt	116 (8.2%)
Self-harm that was not suicide attempt^a	37 (2.6%)
Harm to others^a	540 (38.4%)
Use of violence	210 (14.9%)
Threat of violence	392 (27.9%)
Mass shooting threat	46 (3.3%)

Table 3

Mental Health Concerns and Alcohol and Drug Use

Characteristics	n (%)
Respondents with mental health concerns (excluding alcohol and substance use disorders)	1,148 (81.6%)
Specific mental health diagnosis or psychotropic medication	212 (15.1%)
Vague statements about mental health	936 (66.5%)
Irrational or erratic behaviors^a	94 (6.7%)
Cognitive decline from dementia, TBI, or other causes^a	67 (4.8%)
Respondents with no mental health concerns	259 (18.4%)
Respondents with alcohol or drug use	637 (45.3%)
Alcohol only	401 (28.5%)
Drugs only	148 (10.5%)
Alcohol and drugs	88 (6.3%)
Respondents with no alcohol or drug use	770 (54.7%)
Respondents with drug use	236 (16.8%)
Opioids, including heroin^a	93 (39.4%)
Marijuana¹	49 (20.8%)
Inhalants (e.g., huffing, whippits)^a	53 (22.5%)
Stimulants, hallucinogens (e.g., methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, PCP)¹	38 (16.1%)
Respondents with vague or unclear references to drugs^a	57 (24.2%)

Table 4

Action Taken by Police at the Scene

Action Taken	n (%)
Transported involuntarily to a hospital for evaluation	1,113 (79.1%)
Arrested	260 (18.5%)
Arrested and involuntarily transported to a hospital for evaluation	117 (8.3%)
Arrested and not involuntarily transported to a to a hospital for evaluation	143 (10.2%)
Not Arrested but involuntarily transported to a hospital for evaluation	996 (70.8%)
Neither arrested nor involuntarily transported to a hospital for evaluation.	151 (10.7%)

Table 5

Number of Firearms Removed per Case

Characteristics	n (%)
Number of firearms removed per case, mean (range; median)	5.85 (1–150; 3.0)
Total number of firearms removed	8,087
Type of firearms removed^a
Handguns	1,068 (76.8%)
Long guns	951 (68.4%)
Not described	21 (1.5%)

Table 6

Available Comparisons Reported in Three CT ERPO Study Publications

	Current study (2013–2020)	Swanson et al. 2017⁴ (1999–2013)	Norko and Baranoski 2014³ (1999–2013)
Total (n)	1,407	762	764
Gender			—
Male	92.5%	92%	—
Female			—
Mean age	47.6 years	47 years	—
Who initiated ERPO
Family	44.7%	41%	—
Healthcare providers	8.3%	8% (employer or clinician)	—
Type of risk
Self-harm	69.3%	61% (based on n = 702)
Harm to others	38.4%	32%
Rural or suburban	92.5%	—	76%
Mental health treatment
No DMHAS history	57.2%	—	89.2%
Active DMHAS treatment	7.1%	—	<1%
Substance use
Alcohol use	28.5%	—	30%
Drug use	10.5%	—	<5%
Action taken by police
Sent to ER	78% male; 92.4% female	—	60% male; 80% female
Arrested	18.7%	—	20%
Both	8.3%	—	16%
Weapons ordered held by court	50.9% petitions granted (data available for 80% of cases)	—	68% (data available for < 30% of cases)