How to obey orders prohibiting guns and firearms
If you have or own any firearms (including guns), firearm parts, or ammunition, you must complete the steps below.
If you don't own any, do not try to get or buy any until the orders against you end.
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Before you start
You will need a copy of the restraining order. It should be on one of these forms:
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Decide what you want to do with your firearms and ammunition
If you have or own firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition, you must do one of the following within 24 hours of being served with the restraining order:
- Turn your firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition 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.
If you need a firearm or ammunition to do your job, there are special rules.
If your job requires you to carry a firearm or ammunition, you can ask a judge to allow you to have these items for work. You can ask the judge at your court date or in writing on form SV-120. For more information, talk to a lawyer or your local self-help center.
📌 You cannot carry or possess firearms or ammunition, even at work, until you have permission (a signed court order) from the judge. You cannot carry body armor until your local sheriff or police department grants you an exception.
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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, and ammunition that you own or have.
To do this, print out a form called Receipt for Firearms, Firearm Parts, and Ammunition (form SV-800).
- You fill out items 1, 2, 3, and 8.
- Have the law enforcement officer or licensed gun dealer complete item 5 or 6, and item 7.
- Sign and date the form on page 3.
You can use another document if it includes information about the items you turned in or sold and who they were turned in or sold to, as well as your case number. Your local court may have a preferred form. -
File the form with the 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 SV-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.
School Violence Restraining Orders
Explore other steps
Get information about different steps in the restraining order process for the restrained person.