A Preliminary Message:

Perhaps the areas within conversation concerning firearms and their social, psychological, and environmental implications with the most agitation is concerning the legislative and judicial applications that are implemented and or debated over. At large this is understandable, a law is a solidification of a position with which all under the given jurisdiction must abide in whether personally in agreement or disagreement. Firearms are powerful force that has been used for both good and evil, making the weight of decision paramount and variance of opinion abundant. Furthermore, the United States is built upon a foundation that venerates the right to bear arms, making alterations and or adjustments equally as fundamental. This all in conjunction brings forth a matter that is necessary to clarify, especially in tandem with suicide prevention, yet potentially destructive to rectify. With all this said, it is not my aim here to take a stance but to build an edifying bridge between opinion, bringing forward an area of focus in the midst of the ongoing debate and discussion; lethal means safety and suicide prevention.

The Narrative

The legislative motion to install Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) or the ‘Red Flag Law’ began to be introduced and passed in states throughout the early 1990’s, and do to the horrific mass shootings that have taken place in Colorado within subsequent years, the law was given focus and eventually passed in 2020.

The overall premise of the law is to protect individuals, families, and communities when one is in crisis, aimed to prevent tragedy. This law specifically allows law enforcement, family members, or other authorized individuals to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. This legislation makes an effort to prevent suicides, mass shootings, and gun violence before it starts, intervening at warning signs of serious mental illness and or emotional variance which may be indicative of threatening behavior toward oneself or others.

Important Details

A Temporary Ordinance

This law is designed and implemented in instances where provisional respite is deemed appropriate and is ad interim while the individual sees additional help and services to ensure their care, in due course returning the firearms back to their owner.

Court Oversight

Although anyone, such as close family, can make the report, any and all of ERPOs are possessed through the a court to determine the adequacy of the petition. Individuals have the right to contest the order in court as the legal rights of the individual are retained.

Adjoined with Recourses

As stated prior, these ordinances are not isolated, but rather adjoined with mental health resources and support, all aimed toward addressing the underlying causes of possible behaviors and emotions that led to the ordinance.

Implications

When we observe this legislation from a multifaceted perspective, it is apparent that this law raises some ‘red flags’ among many who believe that ERPOs may become a means of oppressive punishment. Whether you believe this or not, this should draw concern when looking at accessibility and confidence in the world of mental health. Firearm owning citizens may become increasingly distrustful in clinicians and therapists if there is an implication that one may be entangled in a legislative action that could remove ones firearms if deemed a threat by a mental health professional.

Whatever substance this notion truly holds is not the concern, but rather the mistrust and malice that it brings forth, making more and more individuals less willing to seek the support that they may truly need out of deep rooted fears. Additionally, these fears are fueled by the ever increasing agitation surrounding the topic of firearms, fueled by a consuming malice and further deterring individuals from accessing the help they may need.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2025 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MESA COUNTY Register Here!

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): January 16-17, March 20-21, September 18-19, November 6-7 This two-day workshop(16 hours) helps participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): January 31, February 21, April 11, September 26, October 17, December 5 This eight (8) hour training teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA): March 7, April 18, August 29 This Six and half (6.5) hour training for adults who regularly interact with people ages 12-18. It introduces common mental health challenges, typical adolescent development, and plan for how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations

Soul Shop™: February 20, October 2 This 90-minute workshop equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline is staffed around the clock with certified members of the American Association of Suicidology. Or the Crisis Text Line, text CO to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.