"Red Flag" Law Update Adds to Gun Safety

June 8, 2022

To better protect residents, families, and communities from gun violence, House Democrats led the way in passing critical updates last year to our groundbreaking "Red Flag" law, and key provisions of this law took effect on June 1, 2022.

Connecticut first enacted the "Red Flag" law, also known as the Risk Protection Order statute, in 1999 in response to a mass shooting at the Connecticut Lottery. While once historic, 19 states and Washington D.C. have since implemented similar and more comprehensive and proactive legislation.

Red Flag

Public Act 21-67 incorporates language from these laws and closes technical loopholes to strengthen Connecticut's Risk Protection Order statute by allowing family or household members, as well as certain medical professionals, to petition for a Risk Warrant or Risk Protection Order.

Under the prior statute, only police officers or the state's attorney were authorized to petition a state court to order the temporary removal of firearms from an individual who may pose as a danger to themselves or others.

Forms to petition state courts for a risk warrant are available on the CT Judicial Branch's website using the following links:

Application for Risk Protection Order Investigation

Affidavit for Risk Protection Order Investigation

Petition to Terminate Risk Protection Order

In the wake of the recent tragedies in New York and Texas, it is particularly important to highlight how our state continues to lead on gun reform legislation while Congress consistently chooses not to act.

Our "Red Flag" law is just one of the common sense, life-saving solutions our state has enacted to combat gun violence. We will continue to work alongside advocates, and community leaders to build upon these efforts to make our towns and cities safer for everyone.