Legal glossary

Extreme risk protection order

Extreme risk protection order: A civil court order, often called a red flag order, that temporarily bars a person from possessing or buying firearms because a court finds the person poses a significant danger to self or others. As of October 2026, 22 states and the District of Columbia have such laws, according to state-law trackers. Procedures and standards differ by state.

Extreme risk protection order — a study group reading together

What extreme risk protection order means

In short, extreme risk protection order is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where extreme risk protection order comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

Read the source: Red flag laws guide.

How to research the term

To research extreme risk protection order, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

  • Executor: the person named in a will to administer the deceased person's estate — collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries — once appointed by the probate court.
  • Exhibit: a document, object or other item offered as evidence or attached to a filing. Exhibits are usually labeled with numbers or letters so they can be identified in the record.
  • Expert witness: a witness qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education to testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise.
  • Expressio unius est exclusio alterius: latin for "the expression of one thing is the exclusion of another." The canon that "expressing one item of [an] associated group or series excludes another left unmentioned" (Chevron U.S.A.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.

Sources

Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24

Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.