Family member has guns and is threatening — GVRO?
CAquietsail1 month ago
My brother has been making increasingly violent statements and he owns multiple firearms. Is a GVRO the right tool?
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1 reply
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
Yes. CA's Gun Violence Restraining Order (Penal Code §18100) is exactly designed for this. Family, household members, employers/coworkers, and teachers can petition. If granted, it requires the person to surrender firearms and ammunition and stay off the gun registry while the order is active. Forms: GV-100, GV-110. Standard is 'substantial likelihood' that the person poses a significant danger of personal injury by having a firearm. Evidence courts focus on: recent threats, recent acquisition of firearms, evidence of intoxication or mental-health crisis. If imminent, also call law enforcement — they can pursue an emergency GVRO themselves.
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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.