Florida’s Red Flag – Risk Protection Order

Under Section 401 of Chapter 790 in Title XLVI, the Florida Legislature created a new category for a protection order called the Risk Protection Order (“RPO”). Created as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, this new type of protective order went into effect in Florida on March 9, 2018.

In other states, this kind of red flag order is sometimes called the Red Flag Law, Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), or Gun Violence Restraining Order (GRVO).

At the RPO hearing, if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or any ammunition. Such a finding requires the court to issue a risk protection order for a period that it deems appropriate, up to and including (but not exceeding) 12 months.

The same law enforcement agency can extend the RPO every year after that for the rest of the person’s life, if the court approves it each time after a limited hearing.

How would the court determine during a hearing whether a person “poses a significant danger of causing personal injury” by having a firearm? The procedures established by Section 790.401 contain few safeguards to protect the rights of the respondent or due process of law.

The same rules of evidence for a domestic violence injunction hearing under Section 741.30 also apply to the RPO hearing. Since the statute doesn’t explain which rules of procedure apply, Florida law designates the civil rules of procedure as applicable by default.

Information for RPO Attorneys Representing the Respondent: How To Guide – Representing the Respondent in a RPO Hearing in Florida.

Perhaps the most important protection is that only law enforcement officers or agencies can file the petition. Every session, the Florida legislature considered bills seeking to expand the definition of “petitioner” to include any family member related by law or marriage, so that those family members can file the petition for an RPO.

Attorneys Fighting Petitions for RPOs in Florida

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm help clients challenge false, exaggerated, or insufficient allegations in the Risk Protection Order (“RPO”) by asserting their substantive and procedural due process rights at the fourteen (14) day return hearing.

In these cases, we file motions to continue the fourteen (14) day return hearing so that we can complete a proper investigation and obtain discovery, including witness statements, police reports, and 911 calls.

We represent clients at the hearing on the Petition for Risk Protection Order in Hillsborough County, FL, or the surrounding areas in Tampa Bay.

Be advised that if you appear in court without an attorney, the attorney for the other side might ask you to give up all of your rights to contest the RPO by signing a joint stipulation for an order granting the RPO.

We represent clients who wish to contest the allegation. We can help you show the court all of the reasons that the petition for the RPO should be denied through witness testimony and other evidence.

If the order has already been issued, the Respondent only has one chance within the 12-month period to file a request to vacate the RPO order. During the motion to vacate the RPO, our attorneys can present evidence to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent does not pose a danger by having access to a firearm.

We also help our clients contest the extension of the RPO or file a motion to vacate the order after an extension is granted. Until the order is vacated, terminates, or expires, we can make sure that any firearm or ammunition is not destroyed by the law enforcement agency by making the proper claims to preserve the property.

We can help you lawfully transfer the firearms and ammunition to a third party for safekeeping.

From our main office in downtown Tampa and our second office in New Port Richey, we represent clients in protective order hearings throughout the greater Tampa Bay area, including at the courthouse in any of the following areas:

in Tampa or Plant City in Hillsborough County;
in New Port Richey or Dade City in Pasco County;
in Brooksville in Hernando County;
in Clearwater or St. Petersburg in Pinellas County;
in Bradenton in Manatee County; and
in Bartow and Winter Haven in Polk County, FL.

Call us to discuss your case at (813) 250-0500.

How is the Judge for the RPO Assigned in Hillsborough County?

For cases in Hillsborough County, FL, a new administrative order requires the Clerk of the Circuit Court to assign all RPO petitions and other documents filed under the Risk Protection Order Act to Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health and Trust Division “M.”

According to Administrative Order A-2024-045, effective June 1, 2024, the Honorable Caroline Tesche Arkin was assigned to Division “N,” which handles all hearings related to Risk Protection Orders as part of the Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, and Trust Division. In all counties in Florida, the way the risk protection order (RPO) cases are assigned to a circuit court judge is listed in administrative orders updated periodically. .

The assigned division judge will review all petitions and other documents filed between 8:00 a.m. and 4:59 p.m. on non-holiday weekdays.

The duty judge will review temporary ex parte petitions filed at and after 5:00 p.m. on non-holiday weekdays and temporary ex parte petitions filed on weekends and holidays.

Motions to File for a Risk Protection Order Hearing

If you attend an RPO hearing, an attorney should consider filing in WRITING the following types of motions:

request for continuance explaining all the reasons you need more time to properly prepare;
notice of taking depositions;
proposed subpoena and subpoena duces tecum needed for the deposition;
motion to declare the statute unconstitutional;
motion to strike the petition or affidavit; and
motion to dismiss for substantive and procedural due process violations.

The biggest problem is that the respondent is not entitled to an appointed attorney. Additionally, attorney fees cannot be recovered even when the court finds the initial filing to be frivolous.

The statute does nothing to keep these records confidential, even when the court denies the petition because of a lack of evidence. Even more problematic, the allegations often reference information found in mental health records or court records that would otherwise be confidential. Your attorney can help you protect that confidential information.

In the penalties section of the statute, the Florida legislature acknowledged that a law enforcement officer might file a petition with the intent to harass the respondent or present materially false information in the petition.

Even more likely, the officer might mistakenly base the action on false or exaggerated information from a third party. Hearsay is inadmissible at an RPO hearing, so you have to be ready to preserve that objection.

What is a Risk Protection Order (RPO) in Florida?

As explained in Section 14, ch. 2018-3, Section 790.401, Florida Statutes, is “intended to temporarily prevent individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms or ammunition by allowing law enforcement officers to obtain a court order….”

To obtain the RPO, under the Risk Protection Order Act, the petitioner must present evidence to provide that a person poses a significant danger to himself or herself or others, including significant danger as a result of a mental health crisis or violent behavior.

The purpose and intent of s. 790.401, Florida Statutes, is explained in Section 14, ch. 2018-3, Section 790.401, is to do the following:

reduce deaths and injuries as a result of certain individuals’ use of firearms;
while respecting constitutional rights;
by providing a judicial procedure for law enforcement officers;
to obtain a court order temporarily restricting a person’s access to firearms and ammunition.

The process established by Section 790.401, Florida Statutes, is “intended to apply only to situations in which the person poses a significant danger of harming himself or herself or others by possessing a firearm or ammunition…” Section 14, ch. 2018-3, Section 790.401, Florida Statutes.

How Many RPOs are Being Filed in Florida?

How many RPOs are being filed in Florida? Throughout Florida, the courts reported having 1,359 Final RPO hearings through March of 2019 (with 9 counties reporting the statistics from March of 2019).

At a conference of the Court Statistics and Workload Committee in April of 2018, the committee noted that the amount of judicial workload due to the new SRO statute has the potential to be “substantial.”

On page 77 of the report, the committee speculated that the increase in workload would depend on the following factors:

the frequency and type of events required for this action;
how many petitions are filed;
how many times an ex parte order is necessary;
how contested the hearings will become;
how many renewals and terminations are requested;
how often petitioners lie about a material fact in their petitions; and
how often respondents violate the orders.

In accordance with section 25.075, Florida Statutes, and rule 2.245(a), Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, clerks of court must report case data to the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA).

These reporting requirements extend to RPO cases. It is the intention of the Florida Supreme Court to capture statistics on the number of petitions filed, hearings held, and the manner of disposition of risk protection order (RPO) petitions and hearings.

Bring a Court Reporter to the RPO Hearing

Keep in mind that Florida law does NOT require the RPO Hearings to be digitally recorded or reported at the State of Florida’s expense.

The presiding judge might or might not use their discretion to digitally record the RPO Hearings. For this reason, you have the right to hire a court reporter to attend the final hearing to ensure that an accurate record of the final hearing is made.

If you don’t hire a court reporter to make the record, then you have no way to appeal an adverse ruling to a higher court.

Filing an appeal is the only proper way to complain about a mistake made by the judge or a denial of due process.

The order should explain whether the hearing will be recorded or whether you are entitled to bring a court reporter, although many of the orders we have seen do not explain this at all.

Definitions for the Risk Protection Order in Florida

The following definitions are including in the RPO statute including:

the term “petitioner” means a law enforcement officer or a law enforcement agency that petitions a court for a risk protection order under Section 790.401, Florida Statutes;
the term “respondent” means the individual who is identified as the respondent in a petition filed under Section 790.401, Florida Statutes; and
the term “risk protection order” means a temporary ex parte order or a final order granted under Section 790.401, Florida Statutes.

Other terms in the statute are left completely undefined, including:

risk;
substantial risk; and
dangerous.

Who Can File for a Risk Protection Order in Florida?

In Florida, only an enforcement officer or law enforcement agency can file a petition for a risk protection order. The petition must be filed in either:

county where the petitioner’s law enforcement office is located; or
the county where the respondent resides.

The petition for a risk protection order does not require either party to be represented by an attorney, although the respondent is entitled to be represented by an attorney at every stage of the case. The circuit courts in Florida have jurisdiction over these proceedings.

If the Florida legislature passes 2021 HB 251 and 2021 SB 182, then the requirement that only a law enforcement officer or agency can serve at the petitioner would be expanded to include any individual who has a biological or legal parent-child relationship with a respondent, including:

stepparent-stepchild relationship (step-mother, step-father, step-daughter, step-son);
grandparent-grandchild relationship (grandson, granddaughter, grandmother, grandfather);
an individual who is the legal guardian of a respondent (son, daughter, foster child, ward);
an individual who is the spouse of a respondent (husband or wife); or
any individual who is a sibling of a respondent (brother or sister).

Allegations in the Petition for a Risk Protection Order

Under Section 790.401(e), to be deemed sufficient, the petition must allege the following:

the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others;
by having a firearm or any ammunition in his or her custody or control; or
by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or any ammunition.

Other requirements for the petition for the RPO include the following:

be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath stating the specific statements, actions, or facts that give rise to a reasonable fear of significant dangerous acts by the respondent;
identify the quantities, types, and locations of all firearms and ammunition the petitioner believes to be in the respondent’s current ownership, possession, custody, or control; and
identify whether there is a known existing protection order governing the respondent under s. 741.30, s. 784.046, or s. 784.0485 or under any other applicable statute; and
list the address of record on the petition as being where the appropriate law enforcement agency is located.

The Cost to File the RPO in Florida

Florida law provides that a court or a public agency may not charge fees for filing or for service of process to a petitioner seeking relief under this section and must provide the necessary number of certified copies, forms, and instructional brochures free of charge.

The respondent is not required to post a bond to obtain relief in any proceeding under this section.

The statute expressly provides that the court is not permitted to award attorney fees to either the petition or respondent in this type of action.

Notice to the Family or Household Members of the RPO

Florida law provides that the petitioner must make a good faith effort to provide a notice of the fact that the RPO was filed to a family or household member of the respondent and to any known third party who may be at risk of violence.

The notice must state that the petitioner intends to petition the court for a risk protection order or has already done so and must include referrals to appropriate resources, including mental health, domestic violence, and counseling resources.

The petitioner must attest in the petition that he or she has provided such notice or must attest to the steps that will be taken to provide such notice.

Procedures after the RPO is Filed in Florida

Under Section 790.401(3), after the RPO is filed, the court must order a hearing (often called the “return hearing”) to be held no later than 14 days after the date of the order and must issue a notice of hearing to the respondent for the same.

The clerk of the court shall cause a copy of the notice of the return hearing and petition to be forwarded on or before the next business day to the appropriate law enforcement agency for service upon the respondent.

In some cases, the court is permitted to issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order pending the return hearing. The temporary ex parte order must be served concurrently with the notice of hearing and petition.

The clerk of court in the county where the RPO is filed will conduct a search of the online court records for that county. The clerk will then report any cases in which the respondent was named as a party in a case including:

any felony;
any misdemeanor;
any delinquency case;
any prior or current mental health Marchman Act or Baker Act cases;
any record the respondent was named in a prior action for an RPO;
any record that the respondent was or currently is the subject of a no-contact order issued in an action for stalking, domestic, repeat, sexual, or dating violence under sections 741.30, 784.046, or 784.0485 Florida Statutes.

As provided in Section 790.401(5), a sworn law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County is required to serve a copy of the petition, notice of hearing, and temporary ex parte risk protection order or risk protection order.

A law enforcement agency serving the petition or order must use service and verification procedures consistent with those of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

Issuance of a Temporary Ex Parte Risk Protection Order

The court may conduct a hearing by telephone under a local court rule to reasonably accommodate a disability or exceptional circumstances.

The court must receive assurances of the petitioner’s identity before conducting a telephonic hearing.

The court must issue a risk protection order for a period that it deems appropriate, up to and including but not exceeding twelve (12) months if:

the respondent received proper notice of the petition and the scheduled return hearing;
the court finds by clear and convincing evidence;
that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others; and
by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or any ammunition.

Relevant Evidence to be Considered in the RPO Hearing

In determining whether grounds for a risk protection order exist, the court may consider any relevant evidence, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

Witness testimony, taken while the witness is under oath, relating to the matter before the court.
Any relevant information from family and household members concerning the respondent.
Evidence of recent acquisition of firearms or ammunition by the respondent.
Corroborated evidence of the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol by the respondent.
Whether the respondent, in this state or any other state, has been arrested for, convicted of, had adjudication withheld on, or pled nolo contendere to a crime involving violence or a threat of violence.
The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force by the respondent against another person or the respondent stalking another person.
The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm by the respondent.
Whether the respondent has used, or has threatened to use, against himself or herself or others any weapons.
Whether the respondent, in this state or any other state, has been convicted of, had adjudication withheld on, or pled nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28.
A violation of a previous or existing risk protection order issued against the respondent.
A previous or existing risk protection order issued against the respondent.
A violation by the respondent of a risk protection order or a no-contact order issued under s. 741.30, s. 784.046, or s. 784.0485.
Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill or having recurring mental health issues.
An act or threat of violence by the respondent within the past 12 months, including, but not limited to, acts or threats of violence by the respondent against himself or herself or others.
A recent act or threat of violence by the respondent against himself or herself or others, whether or not such violence or threat of violence involves a firearm.

Evidence Presented at the RPO Hearing

Normally, the witness at a protective order hearing must take the stand and testify in open court. The RPO statute, however, allows the court to consider evidence or recommendations in writing or by telephone at the hearing.

If the evidence or recommendation is in writing, then the respondent and the respondent’s attorney are entitled to a copy.

The statute also provides that for a hearing under this section, the rules of evidence apply to the same extent as in a domestic violence injunction proceeding under s. 741.30.

The Temporary Ex Parte Risk Protection Order

A petitioner may request that a temporary ex parte risk protection order be issued before a hearing for a risk protection order, without notice to the respondent.

The petition must explain the allegations based on personal knowledge that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others in the near future by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition.

In considering whether to issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order under this section, the court shall consider all relevant evidence.

If a court finds there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others in the near future by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition, the court must issue a temporary ex parte risk protection order.

The court must hold a temporary ex parte risk protection order hearing in person or by telephone on the day the petition is filed or on the business day immediately following the day the petition is filed.

Information Required in the Temporary Ex Parte RPO

A temporary ex parte risk protection order must include all of the following:

A statement of the grounds asserted for the order;
The date the ex parte risk protection order was issued;
The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed;
The date and time of the scheduled hearing;
A description of the requirements for the surrender of all firearms and ammunition that the respondent owns, under subsection (7); and
The following statement:

“To the subject of this protection order: This order is valid until the date noted above. You are required to surrender all firearms and ammunition that you own in your custody, control, or possession.

You may not have in your custody or control, or purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase or receive, a firearm or ammunition while this order is in effect.

You must surrender immediately to the (insert name of local law enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition in your custody, control, or possession and any license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued to you under s. 790.06, Florida Statutes.

A hearing will be held on the date and at the time noted above to determine if a risk protection order should be issued.

Failure to appear at that hearing may result in a court issuing an order against you which is valid for 1 year. You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with this order.”

The temporary ex parte risk protection order ends upon the hearing on the risk protection order.

A copy of the temporary ex parte risk protection order must be served by a law enforcement officer on the respondent and must be served concurrently with the notice of hearing and petition.

If the court denies the petitioner’s request for a temporary ex parte risk protection order, the court must state the particular reasons for the denial.

What are the Requirements for the Risk Protection Order?

A risk protection order must include all of the following:

The date the order was issued;
The date the order ends;
The address of the court in which any responsive pleading should be filed;
A statement of the grounds supporting the issuance of the order;
Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the respondent is required;
A description of the requirements for the surrender of all firearms and ammunition that the respondent owns; and
The following statement:

“To the subject of this protection order:

This order will last until the date noted above. If you have not done so already, you must surrender immediately to the (insert name of local law enforcement agency) all firearms and ammunition that you own in your custody, control, or possession and any license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued to you under s. 790.06, Florida Statutes.

You may not have in your custody or control, or purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase or receive, a firearm or ammunition while this order is in effect.

You have the right to request one hearing to vacate this order, starting after the date of the issuance of this order, and to request another hearing after every extension of the order, if any.

You may seek the advice of an attorney as to any matter connected with this order.”

Notice that the respondent is entitled to request a hearing to vacate the order under Section 790.401(6), along with a form that can be used to request the hearing to vacate.

A Hearing to Vacate the RPO

If the court issues a risk protection order, the court must inform the respondent that he or she is entitled to request a hearing to vacate the order under Section 790.401(6).

The court shall provide the respondent with a form to request a hearing to vacate.

The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm represent clients at the hearing in which the court considers the petition for a risk protection order.

If the order was already granted, we can help you request a hearing to show all of the reasons why the RPO should be vacated.

You have a right to request only ONE hearing to terminate the order every 12-month period that such order is in effect.

Fighting the Extension of Risk Protection Order

The court must notify the petitioner of the impending end of a risk protection order. The notice must be received by the petitioner at least 30 days before the date the order ends.

The petitioner (or the attorney for the law enforcement agency that filed the original risk protection order) can file a motion to extend the final risk protection order pursuant to Section 790.401(6)(c).

The petitioner’s motion to extend the final RPO must be filed within 30 days from the date the final RPO is set to expire.

Upon receipt of the motion to extend, the court is required to schedule a hearing to be held no later than 14 days after the date the order is issued. The statute allows the court to schedule a hearing “by telephone.”

The respondent should be personally served with notice of any request for an extension of a risk protection order and the date of the hearing.

In determining whether to extend a risk protection order issued under this section, the court may consider all relevant evidence.

If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements for issuance of a risk protection order continue to be met, the court must extend the order.

If, after notice, the motion for an extension is uncontested and no modification of the order is sought, the order may be extended by motion or affidavit stating that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since the entry of the order and stating the reason for the requested extension.

The court may extend a risk protection order for a period that it deems appropriate, up to and including but not exceeding 12 months.

Surrendering Firearms and Ammunition for the RPO

After a temporary or final risk protection order is issued, the court will order the respondent to surrender to the local law enforcement agency all firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent in the respondent’s custody, control, or possession.

The court must also order the respondent to surrender any license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued under s. 790.06.

When the order is served, the law enforcement officer will immediately take any firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent or in his custody, control, or possession. The law enforcement officer will also take any license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued under s. 790.06, held by the respondent.

Even if the officer doesn’t take the firearm and ammunition immediately, the respondent has a duty to surrender any firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent and any license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued under s. 790.06, held by the respondent, in a safe manner to the control of the local law enforcement agency immediately after being served with the order by service or immediately after the hearing at which the respondent was present.

A law enforcement officer may seek a search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction to conduct a search for firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent if the officer has probable cause to believe that there are firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent in the respondent’s custody, control, or possession which have not been surrendered.

When the firearms and ammunition are seized by law enforcement, the officer is required to issue a receipt identifying all firearms and the quantity and type of ammunition that have been surrendered, and any license surrendered and shall provide a copy of the receipt to the respondent.

Within 72 hours after service of the order, the law enforcement officer serving the order shall file the original receipt with the court and shall ensure that his or her law enforcement agency retains a copy of the receipt.

Warrant for the Firearms and Ammunition Not Surrendered

If the law enforcement officer or any other person files a sworn statement or provides testimony that the respondent has failed to comply with the surrender of firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent, as required by an order issued under this section, the court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the respondent has failed to surrender all firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent in the respondent’s custody, control, or possession.

If the court finds that probable cause exists, the court must issue a warrant describing the firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent and authorizing a search of the locations where the firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent are reasonably believed to be found and the seizure of any firearms or ammunition owned by the respondent discovered pursuant to such search.

The statute specifically provides that its provisions do not “affect the ability of a law enforcement officer to remove a firearm or ammunition or license to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm from any person or to conduct any search and seizure for firearms or ammunition pursuant to other lawful authority.”

Innocent Owner of the Firearms or Ammunition

If a person other than the respondent claims title to any firearms or ammunition surrendered pursuant to this section and he or she is determined by the law enforcement agency to be the lawful owner of the firearm or ammunition, the firearm or ammunition shall be returned to him or her, if:

The lawful owner agrees to store the firearm or ammunition in a manner such that the respondent does not have access to or control of the firearm or ammunition.
The firearm or ammunition is not otherwise unlawfully possessed by the owner.

Compliance Hearing under the Risk Protection Order Act

The court can order you to attend a compliance hearing. In some cases, the court will waive the compliance hearing if all firearms and ammunition and any license to carry concealed weapon or firearm issued to Respondent under section 790.06, Florida Statutes have been surrendered to the petitioning law enforcement agency and are no longer in the custody, control or possession of Respondent.

If not, the Petitioner and Respondent are ORDERED to appear in a courtroom for a compliance hearing to present proof of surrender to be held within three business days of the order.

The Court may cancel the hearing upon a satisfactory showing that the Respondent is in compliance with the order.

All law enforcement agencies must develop policies and procedures regarding the acceptance, storage, and return of firearms, ammunition, or licenses required to be surrendered under this section.

Return and Disposal of Firearms and Ammunition

If a risk protection order is vacated or ends without extension, a law enforcement agency holding a firearm or any ammunition owned by the respondent or a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued under s. 790.06, held by the respondent, that has been surrendered or seized pursuant to this section must return the property if requested by a respondent only after:

confirming through a background check that the respondent is currently eligible to own or possess firearms and ammunition under federal and state law; and
after confirming with the court that the risk protection order has been vacated or has ended without extension.

If a risk protection order is vacated or ends without extension, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, if it has suspended a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm pursuant to this section, must reinstate such license only after confirming that the respondent is currently eligible to have a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm pursuant to s. 790.06.

A law enforcement agency must provide notice to any family or household members of the respondent before the return of any surrendered firearm and ammunition owned by the respondent.

Any firearm and ammunition surrendered by a respondent that remains unclaimed for one (1) year by the lawful owner after an order to vacate the risk protection order shall be disposed of in accordance with the law enforcement agency’s policies and procedures for the disposal of firearms in police custody.

Transfer of Firearms and Ammunition in Florida

A respondent may elect to transfer all firearms and ammunition owned by the respondent that have been surrendered to or seized by a local law enforcement agency to another person who is willing to receive the respondent’s firearms and ammunition.

The law enforcement agency must allow such a transfer only if it is determined that the chosen recipient:

Currently is eligible to own or possess a firearm and ammunition under federal and state law after confirmation through a background check;
Attests to storing the firearms and ammunition in a manner such that the respondent does not have access to or control of the firearms and ammunition until the risk protection order against the respondent is vacated or ends without extension; and
Attests not to transfer the firearms or ammunition back to the respondent until the risk protection order against the respondent is vacated or ends without extension.

Reporting of the Risk Protection Order in Florida

Within 24 hours after issuance of the RPO, the clerk of the court will enter any risk protection order or temporary ex parte risk protection order into the uniform case reporting system and forward a copy of the order to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.

Upon receipt of the copy of the order, the law enforcement agency shall enter the order into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

The order must remain in each system for the period stated in the order, and the law enforcement agency may only remove an order from the systems after it has ended or been vacated.

Entry of the order into the Florida Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order. The order is fully enforceable in any county in this state.

The order will also be sent to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which will suspend the license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm.

If a risk protection order is vacated before its end date, the clerk of the court shall, on the day of the order to vacate, forward a copy of the order to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order to vacate.

Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall promptly remove the order from any computer-based system in which it was entered including the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Crimes Related to the Risk Protection Order

Under Section 790.401(11)(a), a person who makes a false statement, which he or she does not believe to be true, under oath in a hearing under this section in regard to any material matter commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Under Section 790.401(11)(b), any person who has in his or her custody or control a firearm or any ammunition or who purchases, possesses, or receives a firearm or any ammunition with knowledge that he or she is prohibited from doing so by an order issued under this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

The RPO LEO Affidavit

In many cases, an officer with a local police department or sheriff’s office will file a Risk Protection Order (RPO) Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Affidavit.

The affidavits used by the Tampa Police Department provide:

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF PETITION FOR RISK PROTECTION ORDER

STATE OF FLORIDA

COUNTY OF HILLSBOROUGH

I am a sworn law enforcement officer with the Tampa Police Department and over the age of 18. I am submitting this Affidavit in support of a petition for a risk protection order. I swear and affirm that the facts reported as my personal knowledge and statements attributed to me contained in all reports authored by me in the above-referenced case number are true and correct based on my personal knowledge of this investigation.

I allege the facts of this investigation establish that the subject of this investigation poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or herself or others in the near future by having in his or her custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition.

This Affidavit, to include all fully incorporated reports authored by me under this case number and attached to this Affidavit, is being offered as:

an Affidavit under oath stating specific statements, actions, or facts that give rise to a reasonable fear of significant dangerous acts by the individual of this investigation;
as relevant evidence for establishing grounds for issuing a risk protection order, and iii) as written evidence to the court. See 790.401(2)(e),(3)(c) and (3)(d), Fla. Stat.

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Affidavit in Support of the Petition for Risk Protection Order and that the facts stated in it are true. See 92.525 (4)(b), Fla. Stat.

Links to Additional Instructional and Informational Material

Information on Florida’s Risk Protection Order – Visit the website of the Office of the State Courts Administrator to find instructions and informational brochures, standard petitions and risk protection order forms, and a court staff handbook on the risk protection order process.

Sample Form for the RPO Petition – The standard petition and order for risk protection forms must be used after January 1, 2019, for all petitions filed and orders issued pursuant to Section 790.401, under the Risk Protection Order Act.

Find instructions, brochures, forms, and a handbook prepared in consultation with representatives of gun violence prevention groups, judges, and law enforcement personnel.

Find an informational brochure describing the process for obtaining, extending, and vacating a risk protection order and the relevant forms.

Other states with laws for risk protection orders include:

Connecticut – Section 29-38C, Conn. Gen. Stat
Indiana – Section 35-47-14, Ind. Code Ann.;
California – Section 18100 Cal. Penal Code;
Oregon – SB719, 2017 Regular Session (Oregon 2017); and
Washington – Section 7.94.010, Wash. Rev. Code Ann.

Brochure for Florida’s Risk Protection Orders (RPOs)

Finding a Lawyer for RPO Hearings in Tampa, FL

If you were served with a temporary risk protection order, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm, P.A., in Tampa, FL. We also have a second office in New Port Richey, FL, in Pasco County.

After the order is served, law enforcement officers will force you to “surrender” all firearms and ammunition in your custody, control, or possession. We can represent you at a final hearing on a petition for a risk protection order that will be held on the date and time listed in the order.

During the hearing, the court will decide whether a risk protection order should be issued. At the final hearing, the law enforcement officer who filed the petition is required to present clear and convincing evidence to prove their allegations.

If the allegations are false or exaggerated, an attorney can present evidence at the return hearing. In other cases, it might be shown that the accusations are not sufficient to warrant this drastic remedy that should be reserved for only the most serious cases.

You may also present evidence and hire an attorney to help you do so, however, Florida law does not provide for appointed counsel in hearings of this kind. For this reason, the court will not be able to appoint an attorney to assist you in this matter.

If you wish to contest the allegations in the RPO petition, then call (813) 250-0500 today for a consultation.

This article was last updated on Friday, July 26, 2024.