How to obey orders prohibiting guns and firearms

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)

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.

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.

Can I drop my papers in a drop box? Or file online? 

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.