Body of News Release
Marin County, CA -- Marin County loses community members every year to firearm tragedies. Seventy-three percent of Marin’s gun-related deaths were firearm suicides from 2020-2024, according to the most recent statistics. A disproportionate number of those deaths were by men over age 60.
With those stark statistics in mind, federal grant funding will be directed over the next year to create greater awareness of actions that can be taken to prevent firearm suicide. The County received a grant of $829,737 from the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program in fall 2025. Now, a comprehensive initiative has been developed to increase awareness and use of gun violence restraining orders (GVROs), as well as promoting broader gun safety practices throughout the community. The fundamental message is that firearm suicide is preventable and GVROs are part of the solution.
The effort is a collaboration between the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Marin Gun Safety Collaborative.
GVROs, commonly known as “red flag laws,” are civil court orders that temporarily prohibit individuals from accessing firearms when they are deemed to be at high risk of harming themselves or others. Recent research has shown that GVROs, also known as extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), are a valuable tool in preventing firearm tragedies, particularly firearm suicides. Despite their effectiveness in preventing harm, GVROs remain underutilized.
A GVRO digital media campaign launched this month. The Marin County campaign is designed to educate the public about GVROs and encourage their use as a preventative tool. The campaign will focus on reaching individuals who are often in the best position to recognize warning signs including family members, friends, co-workers, and caregivers. The campaign emphasizes that seeking a GVRO is an act of care that can protect both the individual in crisis and the broader community.
The collaborative’s website has more information on GVROs and other actions they can take to prevent gun tragedies.
Additionally, the grant will support community outreach and training sessions over the next year on gun safety and GVROs and offer residents practical information on how to help prevent gun-related tragedies.
“Fostering lethal means safety, such as secure firearm storage and GVROs, provides individuals with time and space to navigate a crisis and can save lives,” said Lori Frugoli, Marin County District Attorney. “The initiative seeks to increase community awareness of GVROs as one of several preventative measures available to reduce firearm suicides in Marin County. Our core message is that every community member can take meaningful action to prevent a firearm tragedy in our community. We are excited to share this actionable information and message of hope with our community.”