Help PA Families Protect Loved Ones In Crisis

Although family members may be the first to notice early warning signs of a person in crisis, they currently have little recourse to take steps to protect their loved ones.

We are calling on legislators to pass legislation that would rectify the problem by creating a process for family members to petition local courts to issue "extreme risk protection orders" in the Commonwealth.

We urge PA to provide a mechanism for families and law enforcement to act on what they are observing and to petition the court for an extreme risk protection order when there is good cause to believe an individual poses an immediate threat to himself or others.

With an extreme risk protection order, a court can restrict the person's access to firearms for up to one year (with a process to petition for an extension). Data from other states reveals that this often provides time for the individual to seek help, including mental health treatment, and that the process has prevented suicides and probably homicides as well.

Sign the petition and join us to call on our legislators to support this commonsense policy today!