S6E3 Red Flag Laws Explained: Can ERPOs Stop School Shootings?

About this episode

This episode discusses Extreme Risk Protection Orders and their potential to prevent school shootings.

What if there was a legal tool designed to stop a mass shooting before it happens? In this episode of Stop the Killing, former FBI executive Katherine Schweit sits down with leading researchers studying gun violence prevention to explain Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) — often referred to as Red Flag Laws. These laws allow courts to temporarily restrict firearm access for people who are considered a risk to themselves or others. But how do they actually work? And can they help prevent tragedies like school shootings? Our guests from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and the National Center for School Safety break down the research, the misconceptions, and the real-world impact of these laws. The conversation also explores why school safety goes far beyond metal detectors and lockdown drills, and why evidence shows that prevention must involve families, schools, communities, and early intervention strategies. If you’ve ever wondered whether mass shootings can actually be prevented — and what role communities can play — this episode provides crucial insight. Michael HoltzProgram Manager – Michigan Firearm Law Implementation ProgramUniversity…

People in this episode

Guests: Katherine Schweit, Michael Holtz, Stephen Oliphant, PhD, Sarah Stillwell

Topics covered

• gun violence prevention
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders
• school safety
• mass shootings
• community intervention

Keywords

• Red Flag Laws
• ERPOs
• school shootings
• gun violence
• firearm access

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, National Center for School Safety

More episodes of Stop the Killing

• S6E13 SANDY HOOK TO BONDI: HOW MASS-SHOOTING TRAINING CHANGED POLICING — PART ONE · June 11, 2026 · 36 min
• S6B8 When a Six-Year-Old Shoots: The Richneck Case and the Question of Accountability · May 25, 2026 · 12 min
• S6E12 From Survival to Action: Whitney Austin on Recovery & Preventing Gun Violence — Part 2 · May 21, 2026 · 30 min
• S6E11 Surviving a Mass Shooting: Whitney Austin’s Story of Strength — Part 1 · May 14, 2026 · 31 min
• S6E10 Why ‘Being on the Radar’ Doesn’t Stop a Shooter (Part 2) | Katherine Schweit · May 7, 2026 · 33 min
• S6E9 He Was on the Radar’ — What That Actually Means (Part 1) | Katherine Schweit · April 30, 2026 · 35 min