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Gun violence is a serious problem throughout California.
That’s why the state created nine types of protection orders that give family members, police, school staff, coworkers and others the power to act when someone is in crisis. These tools can temporarily remove guns from a person threatening to harm themselves or others.
While protection orders are lifesaving tools, most people do not know about them or the role they can play in reducing violence. Reduce the Risk was launched by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to raise awareness for protection orders and teach the public how they can stop the cycle of gun violence in their communities.
Help Spread the Word!
Cal OES is working with community leaders like you to share information and get resources to the people who need them most.
Below are tools that can be used on social media, in newsletters, or when talking to friends, family and neighbors. Instructions are available with the content.
- Newsletter & Email Templates: Include the sample newsletter content in your regular emails to community members.
- Social Media Posts: Use any of the suggested social media copy and graphics to raise awareness on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
- Hashtags & Tags: Help expand our reach by using hashtags and tagging our official CalOES accounts.
- Website Banners: Add one of our custom Reduce the Risk website banners to your site to show support.
By sharing these materials, you can help protect your community and teach others about protection orders. Your support could help save a life.
Resources & Materials
Resources are provided in multiple languages to help you prevent gun violence.
FACT SHEETS | SOCIAL MEDIA
RTR-Domestic-Violence-One-Sheet-English-Final-400×516-1
RTR-All-POs-Fact-Sheet-Letter-Sized-FINAL
RTR-GVRO-One-Sheet-V3
Protection-Order-Overview-Infographic
Postsecondary-School-Violence-Restraining-Order-Fact-Sheet
California’s Gun Violence Prevention Measures
As the country’s leader in gun safety, California has already taken many actions to keep you safe.
Learn more about these protections below.
All gun sales and transfers require people to pass a background check and written safety test to get their Firearm Safety Certificate.
If a person is sent to the hospital because they might hurt themselves or others and they have a gun, the doctor must report it. That person can’t have or buy guns for a while.
You must be 21 to buy a gun in California.
People in California can sue someone who gives out illegal guns.
You must wait 10 days after buying a gun to take it home.
Assault weapons, large magazines and ghost guns (guns that cannot be traced) are not allowed in California.
Guns must be locked up safely. If a child or someone else gets it, the owner can be charged with a crime.
If your gun is lost or stolen, you must tell the police within five days.
Starting in 2028, new semiautomatic guns must leave a special mark on bullet casings to help police solve crimes.
Guns and bullets are taxed 11%. This money helps fund programs to stop gun violence.