Extreme Risk Protection Orders in the United States: A Systematic Review of the Research

Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) are designed to protect against firearm violence and are a relatively new policy tool in the United States. As of April 2024, 21 states and the District of Columbia have enacted ERPO laws. This article presents a systematic review of the literature concerning ERPO laws, their use, and their effectiveness. Four main domains are considered in relation to the literature landscape: (a) formulation and passage of ERPO laws, (b) legal analyses of ERPO laws, (c) ERPO implementation, and (d) evaluations of ERPO laws. Thirty-six articles met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed. This systematic review provides the existing evidence regarding ERPO implementation and effectiveness and carves a pathway forward for future research, policy, and practice.