Tuesday, March 27, 2018

WHITE PLAINS – Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. is urging Governor Cuomo and the state legislature to pass the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill (ERPO) as part of the state budget due to be approved by this weekend.           

The measure would empower family members and law enforcement to remove guns from family or household members in crisis and at risk of deadly consequences, pending a hearing.

Scarpino said the measure would save lives by stopping potential offenders in crisis from committing acts of violence that could be preventable by allowing law enforcement to take weapons out of their hands before a tragedy occurs.

“We stand with the New York ERPO Coalition, which includes New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and the district attorneys of Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens counties among others, in supporting this important and potentially life-saving legislation,” Scarpino said.

Under this bill, an ERPO would allow DAs, family and household members or intimate partners or police officers to petition the court to issue a civil order of protection prohibiting people found to be dangerous to themselves or others from possessing or purchasing a gun. The court could grant a temporary ERPO if the application presents sufficient evidence of threats, serious bodily harm, attempts at suicide or homicide, or other violent behavior to oneself or others.           

The individuals in crisis would have right to a hearing if the ERPO is granted.