Eighty percent of Californians don’t know they can seek legal help to keep someone with a gun from committing a violent act. The state is betting on a clear and accessible campaign to change that.

California has some of the strictest gun safety laws in the United States—and one of the lowest firearm death rates in the country. Yet, most residents still don’t know that a highly effective legal tool exists to prevent tragedies: Gun Violence Restraining Orders, or GVPOs.

That was the focus of a recent briefing organized by American Community Media and California Black Media, marking the launch of the Reduce the Risk campaign, an initiative from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office through Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services). The goal is clear: to educate the public on how to use these court orders to legally disarm individuals who pose an imminent threat. “We’re here to close information gaps and help prevent tragedies before they happen,” said Ari Freilich, Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention at the California Department of Justice.

Restraining Orders: A Legal Tool Few People Know About

GVPOs are temporary civil court orders that allow a judge to prohibit someone showing signs of being dangerous from possessing or acquiring firearms. These orders can be requested by family members, coworkers, health professionals, teachers, or law enforcement officers. They’re designed to prevent suicides, domestic violence shootings, and community attacks.

During the briefing, moderator Virginia Brown shared the story of a young man recently killed while trying to intervene in a domestic violence incident. “This reality touches our lives every day. And in many cases, it could have been prevented,” she said firmly.

Although GVPOs have been in place for years, public awareness remains alarmingly low. The data is clear: eight in ten Californians don’t know these restraining orders exist—or how to use them.

Reduce the Risk: A Multilingual and Community-Focused Campaign

Chris Dargan, public information officer for Cal OES, explained that California currently has nine types of restraining orders related to firearms, including those for domestic violence, harassment, or credible threats.

To address the lack of awareness, the Reduce the Risk campaign launched reducetherisk.org, a site offering information in 17 languages, downloadable guides, educational videos, and legal support resources. Since California began promoting these tools, the use of GVPOs has increased by 528%—from just over 400 in 2018 to more than 2,000 in 2023. “The public needs to understand that these orders are not punishments. They’re tools for prevention,” said Dargan.

Mental Health Perspective: “Remove the Gun, Not the Pain”

Dr. Amy Barnhorst, a psychiatrist specializing in mental health crises, shared her experience treating high-risk patients. One case involved a young woman with a history of depression who had access to a gun after being discharged from a psychiatric hospital.

“We knew there was a suicide risk. We filed for a GVPO and police removed her firearm. That action dramatically increased her chance of surviving the crisis,” Barnhorst said. “These orders don’t solve emotional suffering,” she added, “but they remove the most lethal tool from the equation.” For Barnhorst, GVPOs serve as a bridge between the mental health system and the courts.

The Police Experience: Rapid Response to Prevent Shootings

Sergeant Kyle Ikeuchi, from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, shared several real-world examples of how GVPOs are used in the field. In one instance, a disgruntled employee upset about vaccine mandates made threats of violence. Police quickly executed a search warrant and removed firearms from his home—without the need for force.

In another case, a teenager threatened a school shooting on social media. A concerned mother saw the posts and called the police. The teen had access to a sawed-off shotgun at his older brother’s house—the brother was already on probation. “We issued restraining orders for the entire family and took the teen for a psychiatric evaluation,” Ikeuchi explained. “These orders allow us to act before it’s too late.”

He also emphasized that GVPOs include due process. “If there’s been a misunderstanding, a language issue, or a false accusation, there’s a court hearing. The judge makes the final decision.”

One of the most powerful testimonies came from Gabriela González, a 23-year-old activist and member of the campaign’s Youth Advisory Council. At 17, she was harassed, threatened, and psychologically abused by a young man from her neighborhood. He sent her photos of weapons and threatening messages—but she never reported him. “I didn’t say anything because I thought it wasn’t serious enough. No one had ever explained to me that there were legal tools to protect myself,” she said.

Months later, the same man was arrested for plotting a school shooting. Gabriela still wonders what might have happened if someone had filed a GVPO in time.

Today, she dedicates her time to informing other young people about the existence of these orders. “Speaking up can save lives,” she said. “If my story helps just one person request a restraining order, it will have been worth it.”

Every speaker at the event echoed the same message: GVPOs work. They’re legal, effective, and respectful of due process. But they’re only useful if people know about them—and use them.

The Reduce the Risk campaign aims to change that, providing clear information, real-life stories, and easy access to legal resources, especially in vulnerable and underserved communities. “Strong laws are not enough,” concluded Ari Freilich.