What can and cannot a GVRO do?

A GVRO is a court order that:

  • Orders the subject of the petition to surrender all firearms and ammunition they have in their possession; and
  • Prohibits the subject of the petition from purchasing or obtaining any guns and/or ammunition for the duration of the order.

A GVRO only places restrictions on possession of firearms and ammunition for a defined period of time. It does NOT:

  • Require the surrender of other weapons, such as knives; or
  • Protect the petitioner in other ways, such as barring contact or keeping the person from coming near the petitioner. For personal protection from a family member (or household member), you should proceed under the Domestic Violence Protection Act. See Form DV-500-INFO (Can a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Help Me?) for more information.