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How to obey orders prohibiting guns and firearms

If you have or own any firearms (guns), firearms parts, ammunition, or magazines you must complete the steps below. If you don't own any of these prohibited items, do not try to get or buy any until the orders against you end. 

You must obey all the orders made by the judge. If you do not follow the orders, you could be arrested and charged with a state or federal crime.

Before you start

You will need a copy of the restraining order. It should be on one of these forms:

You are not allowed to have body armor while you have a restraining order against you. If you have body armor, you must relinquish it. If you want to keep your body armor, only your local sheriff or police department can grant you an exception.

  • Obey the judge’s order to turn in, sell, or store your firearms (guns), firearm parts, ammunition, and magazines

    If you have or own firearms (guns), firearm parts, ammunition, or magazines, you must do one of the following within 24 hours of being served with the restraining order:

    • Turn them over to local police 
    • Sell them to a licensed gun dealer
    • Store them with police or licensed gun dealer (you will likely have to pay a fee for storage)

    If you do not do so within 24 hours you could be arrested for violating the restraining order or charged with a state or federal crime.

     

     

    The judge can grant you an exception that allows you to carry a specific firearm for work purposes only. Right now you must follow the orders the judge made. You can ask for an exception at your hearing date or in writing. You should talk with a lawyer or get more information from your local Self-Help Center about this exception.

  • Have police or licensed gun dealer complete required form

    You must prove to the judge that you turned in, sold, or stored all firearms (guns), firearm parts, ammunition, and magazines you own or have. 

    To do this, print out a form called Proof of Firearms Turned in, Sold, or Stored (form GV-800).

    • You fill out items 1, 2, 8, and the case number.
    • Have the police officer or licensed gun dealer complete item 4 or 5, and 7.
    • Sign and date the form on the bottom of page 3.
    Yes, if it has the same information that is included on form GV-800. You will need an original form to file with the court.

  • File the form with the court clerk

    a member of the public showing documents to a court clerk

    Once the form is complete, make a copy and file the original with the court clerk right away. It must be filed within 48 hours from when you were served with the restraining order. There is no fee to file this form.

    You can file your form at the courthouse listed on the court papers that you got from the other side (for example, the court is listed at page 1 on form EPO-002 or form GV-109).

    At the courthouse, you’ll file the forms by giving the original and a copy to the court clerk. The clerk will keep the original, stamp your copy, and return the copy to you for your records.

    illustration of documents being placed in a "drop box"

    Some courts have a drop box that you can use. A drop box can be located inside or outside the courthouse. If you put your court papers in a drop box make sure to include the original plus two copies, and use an envelope or rubber band to keep all your papers together. If you use a drop box, you will still have to return to the courthouse to pick up your court papers.

    Using a drop box may not be the fastest way to get your papers reviewed by a judge. If you need your papers right away, take your forms to a court clerk.

    Some courts allow online filing. You can find out if your court has online filing by visiting your court’s website. 

Gun Violence Restraining Orders

Explore other steps

Get information about different steps in the restraining order process for the restrained person.

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