Gun Violence Restraining Orders: Proactively Protecting People

As the first statewide champion for GVROs, the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the San Diego Police Department, was selected by the state to conduct trainings for law enforcement agencies throughout California. The program is guided by California Penal Code Section 18100 et sec, which you know, took effect in 2016 in the wake of a mass murder in Isla Vista where six individuals were killed.  The legislation allows family members or law enforcement officers to seek a GVRO against someone they believe poses an “immediate and present danger” of harming themselves or others.  As soon as we began our unit we realized just how underutilized it is in California.

 Government entities throughout California have requested our assistance with training, procedures, and protocols. Using case studies, we explain ways to apply the law, describe the process for obtaining a GVRO, and address complex issues concerning domestic violence, juveniles and individuals with neurological disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s. We also devote a significant amount of time to the topics of service, search warrants and seizure (firearms). The curriculum is directed at those responsible for implementing and coordinating a GVRO program at their agencies. Typically, all forms of law enforcement and city attorneys, with law enforcement clients, would directly benefit from this event. We have received nothing but positive feedback, increased interest and requests for more training from the law enforcement agencies and city attorneys we have worked with so far.  

 Feel free to reach out to local professionals and law enforcement partners, as you are most familiar with the agencies in your area, to publicize this training.  One of our training team support staff will be sending out a registration link in the next day or so.  Our goal is to make the training as smooth and informative as possible.  If you are already aware of concerns or questions from your department, feel free to let me know so we can be sure to address them.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider. This
activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 2.0 hours of general credit (participatory). The Office of the City Attorney certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education.