Training

At 97Percent, we recognize that more consistent enforcement of existing gun safety laws will help reduce gun deaths. Law enforcement training is a critical component of  effective implementation. 

Through our research, 97Percent has validated not only the efficacy of state-level Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) as a critical tool to reduce gun violence, but also one that is supported by a majority of gun owners.

As such, we have developed a law enforcement training program to support ERPO implementation and behavioral risk threat assessment that respects the Constitutional rights of all citizens and maximizes the effectiveness of this tool to save lives.

A sample of our course offerings is listed below.

ERPO and BTAM Training for Law Enforcement and Public Safety

This 3-day course is designed for Public Safety Professionals and Investigators who utilize ERPOs to mitigate and manage potential threats of gun violence in their communities. This course focuses on utilizing fundamentals of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) to assess threats of gun violence and utilize ERPO as part of a larger mitigation and case management strategy.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Develop understanding of the robust due process protections built into Colorado's ERPO statute with supporting case law.

  • Explore how ERPOs mitigate potential violence in a variety of situations and discuss challenges and concerns (real case studies and scenarios).

  • Build efficacy in using alternative strategies when ERPO may not be appropriate.

  • Develop a plan for community and interdisciplinary cooperation and support in managing ERPO and BTAM cases.

  • Build proficiency in the ERPO process from Investigation to Petition, Court Testimony, Service, Firearm Recovery, and Case Management.

Please contact us for group rates to host your own training.

The fees we collect support our ongoing efforts to deliver the most up-to-date training available to agencies across the country. If your agency or organization is in need of ERPO training, and you are experiencing budgetary constraints, please contact us about Scholarship Opportunities at info@97percent.us.

To schedule training for your agency or organization, or if you have questions about our training program, please contact Christopher Carita at chris@97percent.us.

This course is delivered by Christopher Carita, Senior Training Specialist at 97Percent. He has six years of experience in Threat Response and Extreme Risk Protection Order Implementation, and 10 years in Criminal Investigations in his 20-year law enforcement career. Christopher earned his Master of Public Health with a focus on violence prevention as a BAHI Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, and currently advises at the National ERPO Center on implementation. He is also a DHS Master Trainer for Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), commonly known as red flag laws, have shown great promise in reducing gun-related deaths by temporarily removing firearms from people who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. In particular, this intervention has been proven to reduce suicides by firearm, domestic violence incidents, and mass shootings in the 21 states where they have been adopted.

At 97Percent, we’ve been researching the enforcement of these laws across the country and how to maximize their impact. Our 2024 study, “Empowering Enforcement: Maximizing Red Flag Laws for Gun Violence Prevention,” shows they’re most effective when implemented well and enforced uniformly.

More info about ERPOs

On April 18, 2024, we briefed our findings and talked with experts in the field about how to utilize red flag laws to save more lives. Hosted by 97Percent Board member Olivia Troye, our esteemed panel included:

  • Joshua Horwitz and Shannon Frattaroli from Johns Hopkins University, which launched a national red flag law resource center with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2024

  • Christopher Carita, 97Percent Senior Training Specialist and a former detective from the Ft. Lauderdale Police Threat Response Unit

  • Denyse Stoneback, founder of the National ERPO Working Group

If you missed it, please click here to watch the full discussion.