Congress·In Committee·S. 889

Sen. Blumenthal Introduces Bill to Expand "Red Flag" Gun Laws With New Federal Grants

Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill creates a federal grant program run by the Attorney General to help states, tribes, and local governments set up and enforce extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws — commonly known as "red flag" laws — that let courts temporarily take firearms from people found to be a danger to themselves or others.
From policy text
“The Attorney General shall establish a program under which, from amounts made available to carry out this section, the Attorney General may make grants to eligible entities to assist in carrying out the provisions of the legislation described in subsection (c).”
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To qualify for grants, states must pass laws that include due process protections: the person named in a petition must receive written notice, get a court hearing within 30 days, and their firearms must be safely stored — not destroyed — while the order is in effect.
From policy text
“The individual named in a petition for an extreme risk protection order as described in subparagraph (A) shall be given written notice of the petition and an opportunity to be heard on the matter in accordance with this paragraph.”
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Between 25% and 70% of each grant must go toward training law enforcement officers to use ERPOs safely and fairly, including training on racial bias, mental health crises, domestic violence situations, and de-escalation techniques.
From policy text
“allocate not less than 25 percent and not more than 70 percent of the amount received under the grant for the development and dissemination of training for law enforcement officers”
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The bill amends federal firearms law (18 U.S.C. § 922) to make it a federal crime for someone under an extreme risk protection order to possess or receive a firearm, and requires these orders to be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
States must honor red flag orders from other states under a "full faith and credit" provision, preventing individuals from crossing state lines to avoid a court order that restricts their firearm access.
From policy text
“Any extreme risk protection order issued under a State or Tribal law enacted in accordance with this Act shall be accorded the same full faith and credit by the court of another State or Indian Tribe”
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The law would take effect 180 days after enactment, giving states, courts, and law enforcement time to prepare. Grant recipients must file annual reports tracking petitions filed, orders granted or denied, demographics, and the number of firearms removed.
From policy text
“This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.”
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Gun PolicyCriminal JusticeCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 6, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

News From The States·12 days ago

Over 400 red flag law orders issued in 2025, increase of about 100 from prior year

An annual report on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) shows that 407 orders were issued in Michigan during 2025, an 80% issuance rate. Advocates argue the law is saving lives by preventing suicides and mass shootings, while critics continue to raise concerns about due process rights.

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Ballotpedia News·9 months ago

Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill restricting the use of extreme risk protection orders

Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 1326 into law, effectively banning the enactment or enforcement of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) in Texas unless specifically authorized by state law. Texas joins several other Republican-led states in restricting these 'red flag' measures.

KSTP-TV·7 months ago

New user guide for Minnesota's risk protection law, advocates say the law is saving lives

A new resource guide was released to help Minnesotans understand how to use the state's Extreme Risk Protection Order law. Advocates highlight that the law has been used in 135 petitions since 2024, with courts granting orders in 95% of cases to prevent potential tragedies.

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