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How to obey orders prohibiting guns and firearms

If you have or own any firearms (including guns), firearm parts, ammunition, or magazines, you must complete the steps below.  

If you don't own any prohibited items, do not try to get or buy any until the orders against you end. 

 

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If you do not follow these orders, you could be arrested for violating the restraining order or charged with a state or federal crime. You can also be fined.

Before you start

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

  • 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 your firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or magazines over to local law enforcement (like the police or sheriff)
    • Sell your firearms and other items to a licensed gun dealer
    • Store your firearms and other items with local law enforcement or a licensed gun dealer (you will likely have to pay a fee for storage)

    ⚠️ If you have or want body armor, 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.

  • Have local law enforcement or a licensed gun dealer complete the required form

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

    To do this, print out a form called Receipt for Firearms, Firearm Parts, Ammunition, and Magazines (form GV-800).

    • You fill out items 1, 2, 7, and the case number.
    • Have the law enforcement officer or licensed gun dealer complete item 4 or 5, and item 6.
    • Sign and date the form on page 3.
    Before you file a form other than form GV-800, ask your court how they would like you to file it. They may want you to attach the document to form MC-030 or to another form that gives the case number, name, and other information about the case.

  • 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 it 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.

    To file:

    • 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 on page 1 on form EPO-002 or form GV-109).
    • Give the original and your copy to the court clerk.
    • The clerk will keep the original, stamp your copy, and return the copy to you.
    • Keep the copy for your records.

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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