“A domestic violence protection order (DVPO) is issued by a court to protect a survivor of family or intimate partner abuse/violence and requires the person subject to the order to do, or not do, certain actions. DVPOs can protect the survivor in many ways, including: ordering the respondent from coming near the survivor or their home or workplace, from communicating with the survivor, providing for custody or visitation, provisions related to housing, express prohibitions against further harassment, threats, stalking or other abusive behaviors against the survivor and their children. DVPOs can also prohibit the respondent from accessing firearms or ammunition during the time the DVPO is in effect. All U.S. states and territories have laws providing for DVPOs.

As of late 2024, 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have laws providing for extreme risk protection orders (ERPO), a court order that requires the person subject to the order to turn in firearms and ammunition in their possession and can prohibit the respondent from purchasing firearms and ammunition while the order is in effect.

It is important for survivors to have access to information about the differences between these legal tools.”